"Fifth Sunday"

It happened once a quarter,

When we’d gather, eat and sing,

I’m talkin’ ‘bout fifth Sunday,

It just beat everything.

Sweet tea by the gallon,

And a hundred comfort foods,

Spread outside on tables,

Bound to elevate your moods.

And, Lord, look at that cobbler,

Banana puddin’, too,

Fried pies by the dozen,

It’s what they used to do.

And then into the church house,

On those hard, wooden pews,

Sang from the red back hymnal,

So full of God’s good news.

There were old gospel favorites

Sung in four part harmony,

Old ladies played piano,

The old songs that would set free.

If you heard what they were sayin’,

Might bring a tear into your eye,

No way you could be passive,

At least they brought a sigh.

All the Baptists and the Methodists,

Some Pentecostals came,

And when it was all over,

We were not the same.                                                         

Just country eatin’ and a-singin’,

And a time to have some praise,

Connect with all the neighbors,

God’s banner high to raise.

A little slice of yesterday,

No lights or holy smoke,

But good, old-time religion,

I tell you this, no joke,

It might seem so out of date,

I guess you might be right,

But wouldn’t it be something,

If some fifth Sunday night,

We all got together,

For the music and the food,

Prayed for one another,

Don’t you think it might be good.

Just something ‘bout that chicken,

And somethin’ ‘bout that pie,

And those good old gospel songs,

Full of the truth, no lie.

Maybe it would help us,

It might, can’t ever tell,

And it would be worth it,

If it saved one soul from hell.

“He said to them, ‘Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” (Matthew 13:52, NIV)

Religious tradition is one of the most controversial issues for Christian believers. Some hold onto it fiercely, and look with suspicion upon anything that is different or new. Some discard tradition so entirely, they completely discount its value and label it as something that quenches the Spirit. But here’s the truth: God uses both old and new to proclaim and promote His Kingdom. I value what God is doing through “contemporary” expressions. I also have high regard for the ways God moved and the things He used in the past. I believe this was Jesus’ point when He talked about the new treasures and the old. May we let the Spirit lead.

Lord, we pray You will help us use both old and new treasures to promote Your Kingdom, in Jesus’ name.

Photo of Brent Prince, used by permission. Thanks, Brent, and God bless you.