I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 2 Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together. Psalm 122:1-3

The 1st verse of this psalm is an opening sentence at the service of the Eucharist. I cannot recall it being used frequently by anyone. But it struck me this morning as I remember that 3rd verse as it is printed in our prayer books says Jerusalem is built as a city that is at unity with itself.
At unity with itself. What does that mean? The easy to read version says This is New Jerusalem! The city has been rebuilt as one united city.
I wondered about church and congregations. Are we at unity with ourselves. The infighting, the lack of compromise. Those who believe that they own the church. And I know how that feels. As a congregant I owned my church, but something I never did was decide its my way or the high way. Never imposed my ideas, and if they were rejected, I carried out the other persons ideas as if I had suggested it. That I believe is unity. No problem with the discussion, but once the dust settles and a way forward is decided, all must put hands and hearts so it can work.
David wrote the psalm for the new Jerusalem he had built. He wanted persons to love the city and to be loyal to what it represented to the nation. While church is not a political entity we want the same loyalty to our members. We want people to take pleasure in coming to church. Pleasure does not mean enjoyment for entertainment purposes, but feeling pleased to participate in the wonderful worship services or other activities.
I question how many of us come to church with joy in our hearts. Sometimes I wonder if we have any idea what joy is, as I see many faces burdened by the care of the world. The faces came serious and they left serious, no stopping for pleasantries or fellowship. As church members, this psalm invites to open our hearts to the surprise of the liturgy at every service . To come or go to church expecting excitement. Expecting to discover a new thing, hear a new verse, understand an old song differently and to leave feeling gratified and grateful for another opportunity. It is being at unity with oneself. No second guesses, no supposes, no what ifs, only how is God going to be present with me today?
Jerusalem housed the temple of God in which rested The Ark with the covenant between God and the Jews made an effort to go Jerusalem for the several festivals. It was a joyous time for them. If we read all the psalm it refers to happiness. I was glad when they said unto me, reflects excitement at the journey and what would happen in Jerusalem. One verse says peace is within your walls. Being in Jerusalem is a peaceful experience. There is also gratitude for being able to have the experience of being in Jerusalem.
There is also gratitude in doing God’s work. There is gratitude in being a member of the family of God. If we consider that everything we do is for the honour and glory of God, we can also consider everything we do as worship. if that is true, if we can cultivate that kind of mindset and adopt it, we would be surprised by the joy we feel, the openness we have to new experiences and to experience old things anew. Its not hard to achieve. Its an openness to what God offers. It’s a glow that others see on your face. It isn’t always fun, but it is a unity of purpose knowing others are having the same experience and working in tandem with you, as the strength of God pilots us. For the power of God preserves us. The wisdom of God instructs us. The hand of God protects us. For The way of God directs us. The shield of God will defend us. The host of God will guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world. Where God is, all is well. All will be well, all manner of things will be well.