HALLGRIMSKIRKJA

 

Earlier this month, my wife and I toured Iceland. We got to see the Northern Lights, volcano fields, a whale museum and a horse farm. We went into a cave that stretched for miles and soaked in a spa that was heated by hot springs from the earth. My highlight of the trip was a visit to this church. It is called Hallgrímskirkja.

This is a Lutheran Church and is located in the middle of the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík. The people of Iceland started building the church in 1945. It was finally completed in October 1986. That’s 41 years! I mention this because in our Gospel today (Mark 13:1-13), Jesus’ disciples were marveling about the Temple. One said, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

It's hard to imagine the destruction of a temple or a church the size of this one in Iceland. It’s 244 feet high, and seats over 1,200 people. But buildings taller than that have been destroyed.

Now, if you go to Iceland, go up to the bell tower because you can see for miles. But as magnificent as any church building is, what is even more important is Jesus Christ.

As a congregation, we can worship anywhere. We don’t have to go to Jerusalem or any other city. We can worship in a church building or in a park. All we need is God’s Word, Christ’s Body and Blood, for the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of everlasting life. With that, let us pray.

Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless these and all children. Give their fathers and mothers the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.