A few years back, a friend was talking to me and used the phrase, "Middle-aged people like us." It was one of those phrases that made me stop listening to whatever else he was talking about. I looked around and noted that only the two of us were present. I realized with shock that my friend thought that I was middle-aged. I received a second shock when it occurred to me that my friend was right. I suppose another indicator that I am aging happens when I'm around teenagers...

Next time you are at Liturgy, consider the idea that there are three flames. The first flame burns before the throne of God always. The second flame is passed down to a candle at the altar in the Liturgy. The third flame is passed on to you, like a little candle that you light when you take communion. Imagine trying to keep that little candle lit as you leave the church and keep that little flame burning throughout the week. Of course, you might point out that there aren't really three flames...

Plans are underway to remodel our beautiful church. This reminds me of a verse from Psalms that says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain" (Psalm 127:1). The house in this verse can refer to multiple things. It can refer to you in your own soul, to your community, or to a specific work or task you are undertaking. It can also refer to the church building that we are remodeling. We can always be asking, what kind of house are we building?