With all his might

In today’s first reading (from 2 Samuel 6), King David has the Ark of the Covenant brought to Jerusalem with great ceremony

And David danced before the LORD with all his might

This is not necessarily an endorsement of liturgical dance – not all of us are culturally or personally well-matched for dancing as a form of expression.

But in his dance David gives all of us an example we can and must follow, for he dances “before the LORD with all his might.”

Too many of us are lukewarm in our actions and expressions of worship.

We move lethargically – if at all.
We sing quietly – if at all.
We respond or recite in mumbles – if at all.
We pay attention sporadically – if at all.
We focus on the presence of God halfheartedly – if at all.

So then because thou art lukewarm,
and neither cold nor hot,
I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Revelation 3:16

That is not to say that we should have a no-holds-barred free-for-all when we gather for church (as St. Paul says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” - 1 Corinthians 14:40).

But whatever appropriate forms of expression our cultures may have and whatever order our communities of faith may observe, today’s first reading invites us - and the Lord Jesus calls us - to rouse ourselves and to worship the Lord with all our might.