Consider the early church and how those communities of disciples worshiped, prayed, learned and served others in need. They worshiped as very small communities, sometimes as only families and neighbors in small gatherings in homes. Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
As house churches, they read from scripture and remembered God’s mighty acts of bringing God’s people through the storms they encountered along the way. They told testimonies and stories of how God was at work in their lives and the world. They prayed together and for one another and the surrounding world. They fed and took care of the sick and those in need. They even shared a meal together in what was called “love feasts” that signified acceptance and fellowship as the love feast in the church (as people, not building) was a living image of unity in Christ, of being the body of Christ in the world regardless of geography.
All of this is still true today. Perhaps this strange time we’re in gives us the opportunity to rekindle some ancient practices of faith formation in our homes. However, under the current circumstances, we are not able to be “open” like the early church, inviting friends and strangers in to join us. If you live alone, remain hopeful and trust in God. Remember Jesus’ sacrifice for you and let the words from the hymn, O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, keep you mindful of God’s never-ending love for you.
What language shall I borrow to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow, thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to thee.
