FM's Message | Sunday, July 21, 2024

Today’s first reading reminds us that God does see everything and gets particularly upset by bad pastoring. The patience of God also prompts him to say that he will raise up the final prophet to show exactly what he means to do with us and for us. What he means to show us is the power of his love and the care that comes from that. That prophecy is realized of course in the person of Jesus, who in today’s Gospel recognizes that we are people who need to rest, and yet despite his care for his apostles returning from mission, he is also aware of those who are seeking him for care for their needs too. This scene reveals that God is trying to make space for all kinds of needs, i.e., the need to help those who work and need rest, the needs of those who come looking for consolation and healing, and those who hunger and thirst physically and spiritually.

 I am a fan of Father Richard Rohr and his writings and spirituality. I think that he has helped me see that holding the tension of the never-ending work and the need to rest is a tension that many experience and try to address in a healthy way. The readings for this weekend in some ways reflect the importance of a rhythm that allows for times of work and times of rest. The best example in the Bible I can think of is the reflection of the writer of Ecclesiastes. In Chapter 3:1-8, he reflects that there is a time for everything and that it all fits. Jesus had sent out the disciples to minister and now was urging them to rest and be recharged. It is a good pattern for us to remember. There will always be someone else who needs our time and service. Resting in God for a brief time allows all of us to be able to be recharged and then prepared to go off to minister again.

One of the most important teachings I learned in the seminary (and later on was given the responsibility to share) was, “You, (fill in your name) are not the Messiah. The Messiah, Jesus, came and left us work to do, but in his name not yours”. That has helped me to remember that there will always be an opportunity to give witness to Jesus. We can do that by coming to Church, participating in programs, doing self-study, and making time for personal prayer. They are all ways that allow us to learn to rest in and trust God and deepen and strengthen our relationship with him. Our humble realization that God has called us to be his co-workers with his son is an opportunity to thank him for His trust in us and our recognition that we can return this trust. God is with us and that is enough.

Peace,

Father Murray

Congratulations to our newest couples who were married in the church this weekend. Thomas Bonnano and Addie Barron were married this past Friday and Renato Carvalho & Julia Cromwell will be married this coming Saturday. Blessings to all of you as you begin your married lives together. We will be praying for you.

Building news: As the new fiscal year begins, I am pleased to report that there is not a lot happening. Franklin, the head of our maintenance team, has been doing some behind-the-scenes work and fixing exhaust fans in the space above the ceiling at IC. We are currently trying to find a way to open the windows at St. James without allowing the birds to fly in. We are looking for some screens that are large enough to prevent bird invaders, but open enough to allow any possible breezes.