For He Comes
We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of the earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers; for the wonder of your creatures, large and small; and for all the loveliness that surrounds us. –BCP
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. –Ps 19
Let the sea roar and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord, for he comes. –Ps 98
There are countless other passages of Scripture and books of prayer I could cite, but these suffice. The Lord has made all things and his Creation is a reflection of his creativity, beauty, love, and joy. We live in a unique place in America where we experience both the seas and the mountains, along with forests and all their creatures. The psalmist uses the language of the created world to express the wonderfully inordinate praise offered to God. It is not only humanity, those made in the image of God, that hymn his praise. All creation joins in the chorus. The hymn reminds us this praise is not even confined to the earthly sphere, but the heavenly voices join as well.
O ye heights of heav'n, adore him;
angel hosts, his praises sing:
all dominions, bow before him
and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
ev'ry voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!
Why all this praise? In the words of Psalm 98 it is: for he comes. Tomorrow (Sunday) we gather as the people of God–in person or online–to join this heaven-and-earthly chorus. What a joy.
Grace & Peace
Take Root Downward
On Sunday, toward the beginning of the sermon, I took up the biblical metaphor of a tree to depict what is to be true of all our lives: we are to take root downward that we might bear fruit upward. We are to continually grow and mature in our union with Jesus, that his life may continue to flow in us through the Spirit. Peter, the famed apostle, helps us in this regard.
When I come across Peter, whether in the Gospels, Acts, or in his letters, I always find myself grateful that his actions and words are recounted for the Church. He is far from a polished character, yet loved all the same. So it is with us. In his second letter, he provides a short list of qualities that, "if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful..." (1:8). He continues his exhortation by stating, "be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall." (1:10) His qualities are these: "...supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." (1:5-7).
It is too easy to skip through that list, acknowledging that these are "good things", and move on. But, to pick up the tree metaphor again, I'd ask you to pause at these trees and observe them one at a time. This needn't take forever; a few minutes will suffice. Which of these is the Lord drawing you toward? Which pricks your heart? Which is a known area of weakness?
It is easy for the reality and presence of our weaknesses to push us to shame. Don't let them push you in that direction; but let them push you to Christ. For all of Peter's weak moments, he kept returning to Christ, he kept coming back to the light.
Grace & Peace
Sewing Peace in Soil of Discord
Tuesday evening was nothing short of a spectacle as it was illuminating. Throughout this week I have gone back and forth on whether I comment on the presidential debate since I am so new to this community, but refraining from saying anything would proceed from a fearful heart and not one that desires our health and growth. Moreover this is an opportune time for us to practice the faith that we all confess.
Before I go any further, I would ask that you take a moment to think of someone you know who is on the other side of the political aisle, maybe a friend, co-worker, family member, or parishioner. Would you now take a minute and pray for them, not that "they would come to their senses," but pray that the Lord would encourage them by his Spirit, that he would meet them in their distress, that he would renew for them the joy of their salvation and life with God? Such prayer is for the other as much as it is for you, for in praying for those with whom you disagree, you offer to the Lord your own heart, that he might continue reshaping it to beat like the heart of Jesus.
Having begun with prayer, consider James 3:16-18: "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Adding to 2020, we have entered the homestretch of the presidential political process and there will be infinite possibilities for you to speak and act out of selfish ambition or anger which will only promote disorder. In so doing you will simply rehearse what many saw on Tuesday evening. Rather than sew discord, seek first wisdom from above in your conversations and debates. Should we have debates and discussions on important issues, certainly so. But enter into them with this in mind: each human being has received the privilege by God himself to be made in his image, however marred it may now be.
It continues to be my prayer that the Lord will grant us unity of mind and spirit as we walk together as his people. There are near-infinite assaults made on the Church by our Enemy who is only delighted at sewing strife and discord, and dismantling the Church brick by brick. Let us hold fast to Jesus who has brought us together and not provide a foothold for the Enemy.
Grace & Peace
God is Enough
As I write this note, rain continues to fall from the skies, a much welcomed relief to our area in light of the wildfires a week ago. Though we now experience some reprieve, let us not forget that many are only now beginning to sort out their lives due to damage and destruction from the fires.
Julian of Norwich (14th c.) penned a most beautiful prayer that has made its way into our Book of Common Prayer (2019) entitled, "Satisfaction in Christ". There we pray: "O God, of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are enough for me. I can ask for nothing less that is completely to your honor, and if I do ask anything less, I shall always be in want. Only in you I have all." Amen.
She's right and yet the truth in that prayer may feel as if it would break us, for we seek after a great many other things in order to be satisfied. We place that burden, the weight of our affections and the desire of our souls, on the backs of others, a task they can never bear. Yet there is one who is willing, one who is able to bear all your burdens, to keep you from falling. May we find our satisfaction in him. Should we be delighted in a great many things in this world? Absolutely! But only as an abundance, an overflow of gifts flowing from our satisfaction in God alone.
As this week comes to a close and we prepare to gather virtually on Sunday, let us pray with Julian: "O God, give me yourself, for you are enough for me".
Grace & Peace
Draw Near to Jesus
I am thankful to the Lord for the ways in which he has brought me and my family to Emmanuel. Though I have had interactions with only some of you so far, I am encouraged by the love you have for God, the hospitality you share, and the desire you have to love our neighbors. I am thankful for the years of service of Fr. Dan and have an expectant joy for the work the Lord will continue to do.
We are currently experiencing trial upon trial with a sizable amount of uncertainty: Covid-19, unprecedented wildfires, a presidential election year, and evident injustices of many sorts. This is a lot to digest, perhaps it is too much. In the Epistle to the Hebrews, the author tells us of Jesus Christ who is the Son of God, the greater Moses, the greater sacrifice, and the greater high priest. In chapter four we read, "since then we have a great high priest...let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
There are many of us who are in need and because of that we have all the more reason to draw near to the throne of grace in prayer. Would you do that? As worry, doubt, or fear assail you, draw near to Christ. Ask a friend to draw near with you. When you are aware of another who is struggling, draw near to Christ on their behalf. And draw near in confidence for it is Jesus to whom you draw near, our Savior, Redeemer, and Friend.
Grace & Peace