Here in the Philippines, sometimes we see military and uniformed security guards at Mass, especially if the mayor or her opposition is attending the service. (lots of political shootings here...think the Mafia and you get the idea).
We get frisked and our bags checked going into the local malls to prevent bombings (which has happened at some malls) and there is a sign to leave your gun outside when going into the bank, but so far we are not frisked going into church, although several churches in the south have been bombed by terrorists.
It’s sad to see that now the US is having churches attacked, but I suspect these things will become more common in the near future.
as for Jesus: well, Peter had a sword and knew how to use it. So security guards only mean you aren’t “tempting God” by doing something foolish like letting bad guys shoot you and your family.
Never really thought about Peter and the sword. He must have been skilled to be able to cut off someone’s ear. He could have easily missed and put it between his eyes.
Everyone in our church has to be let in individually through a locked door. This was a post-9/11 practice insisted on by the American Embassy here in Oslo. If they are strangers the greeters access the threat.
Heard a sermon on wars and rumors of war from gospel of Mark. How appropriate.