Polmont Old
Parish Church - Scotland
Parish Church - Scotland
Jerome's Jottings
Polmont Old Parish Church
STONES
“Come to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple.” 1 Peter 2: 4
I know a young lad who is fascinated by stones. Out on walks, anything that is out of the ordinary is picked up, examined carefully and, if it passes some significant muster, is put in the pocket to add to the collection. I am sure that, whenever he goes for a walk, the effort of walking home with the hundred weight of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary items in the pockets, must add considerably to the exercise.
In the summer holidays, in the week we spent in York, we were confronted with another kind of object of stone: the York Minister. What an awesome place that is. Walking into it for the first time is breathtaking - the size, beauty, grandeur, space, atmosphere! We spent, all in all, a full day and a half in the building (it is the best umbrella York has to offer, after all) and at the end of that time, we felt that we had only begun to scratch the surface, as it were, of the place.
In all the things that we saw, touched, heard, read and experienced there, one thing stood out above all. Every day, the Minster holds a small Communion Service in one of the chapels. It was a quiet, reflective service, with responses and prayers appropriate to that creed. All around us were the walls and windows, wood and stone that had witnessed that same event taking place year after year for centuries. For me, there was also the sense that this sedate devotional had been performed thousands upon thousands of times with thousands upon thousands of people taking part. On that day, we were just a few small links in the chain of worship and devotion that has gone on for centuries.
The foundation stone that began that edifice, however, is not to be found anywhere in York, nor Europe, nor even in the World. The foundation stone is at the right hand of God - the living, eternal Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. You see, the Minster, as grand as it is, is only an expression of something greater – the faith of men and women through the ages who have shared with us their salvation, trust and hope in Jesus. We build in this world only for a time. Too soon we must pass on the building to those who will continue the work.
As we go through the seasons of the year, reflect on the work that has happened and plan the work still to do, please reflect carefully on the role you play in building the kingdom of God.
“For you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of Priests, God’s holy nation, His very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Jerome
Polmont Old Parish Church
STONES“Come to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple.” 1 Peter 2: 4
I know a young lad who is fascinated by stones. Out on walks, anything that is out of the ordinary is picked up, examined carefully and, if it passes some significant muster, is put in the pocket to add to the collection. I am sure that, whenever he goes for a walk, the effort of walking home with the hundred weight of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary items in the pockets, must add considerably to the exercise.
In the summer holidays, in the week we spent in York, we were confronted with another kind of object of stone: the York Minister. What an awesome place that is. Walking into it for the first time is breathtaking - the size, beauty, grandeur, space, atmosphere! We spent, all in all, a full day and a half in the building (it is the best umbrella York has to offer, after all) and at the end of that time, we felt that we had only begun to scratch the surface, as it were, of the place.
In all the things that we saw, touched, heard, read and experienced there, one thing stood out above all. Every day, the Minster holds a small Communion Service in one of the chapels. It was a quiet, reflective service, with responses and prayers appropriate to that creed. All around us were the walls and windows, wood and stone that had witnessed that same event taking place year after year for centuries. For me, there was also the sense that this sedate devotional had been performed thousands upon thousands of times with thousands upon thousands of people taking part. On that day, we were just a few small links in the chain of worship and devotion that has gone on for centuries.
The foundation stone that began that edifice, however, is not to be found anywhere in York, nor Europe, nor even in the World. The foundation stone is at the right hand of God - the living, eternal Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. You see, the Minster, as grand as it is, is only an expression of something greater – the faith of men and women through the ages who have shared with us their salvation, trust and hope in Jesus. We build in this world only for a time. Too soon we must pass on the building to those who will continue the work.
As we go through the seasons of the year, reflect on the work that has happened and plan the work still to do, please reflect carefully on the role you play in building the kingdom of God.
“For you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of Priests, God’s holy nation, His very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Jerome
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