Living stone – Living church
The theme of the Saami Church Days tells us about a solid stone foundation and about us that belong to Christ, the living stone, also as living stones, a living church.
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house!” (1. Pet 2, 4-5)
Christ is the living building stone that God has chosen. We are encouraged to come to Christ, because then we too become living stones from which a house can be built. This spiritual house is the church, the community, at whose base Christ supports us. When we believe in Him, the living stone, we form a living church.
What does it mean to be living stones, a living church? To live is to be in motion. The one who lives can create, adapt, shape today and tomorrow and influence their surroundings. To adapt to nature is at the core of Saami tradition. To be a part of a living church in society gives courage and strength, and the living stones have the strength to resist and shape the possibilities in life on the stone foundation of society. Reindeer lichen waits in the earth, ready to sprout.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” Matt 7, 24-25
When we build upon the rock, we stay safe in knowing that the house withstands weather. His words and promises withstand through everything that may happen, and He is with us through everything that we may endure.