1 October 2013 - somewhere we belong

1 October 2013 - somewhere we belong

And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”

We cannot overstate how much the LORD desires unity among his people.  He is a father who can't stand seeing his family fragmented and divided throughout the earth.  He can't stand seeing prodigals wandering when he has a great feast to offer them in his house.  Our Father's house has no equal anywhere on earth.

His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!

Yet none of our hearts are fixed completely on this home.  We have no lasting city anywhere else (cf. Heb 13:14) but we live as though we do.  Our minds are not fixed on the things above as they should be (cf. Col 3:2). They are weighed down with earthly concerns.  But no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid (cf. 1 Cor 3:11).  All else is sinking sand (cf. Mat 7:26).

What is it, then, which finally compels us to leave our exile to seek the "city with foundations whose architect and builder is God" (cf. Heb 11:10).

“Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

We see God say to the Jewish people, "Emmanuel" (cf. Mat 1:23).  He says, 'I am with you, in their midst.  He sends Jesus his son to dwell among them.

In those days ten men of every nationality, 
speaking different tongues, shall take hold,
yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say,

But he does not send Jesus to the Jews to isolate them still further.  Their preparation is now complete and they need be isolated no longer.  Jesus comes so to make them the basis for a new a larger family, no longer bound to just one nation.  They are the plant to which new (and rather unruly) branches are now grafted (cf. Rom 11:17).

If our hearts still wander in pagan lands let us hear the "that God is with" his people.  He is a father to his people and longs to invite everyone to the table of his wedding feast (cf. Mat 22:9).  His presence will draw from our hearts the desire to say, "Let us go with you" to his people, the Church.  Finally we know where we truly belong, and knowing we rejoice.

They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”