The catastrophic storms occurring on the east coast and gulf shores are nothing short of annihilation incarnate. Hearing from a clergy person in North Carolina, the devastation to their churches is manifold; it took a week just to account for every clergy person in the diocese. They still haven’t been able to locate all their parishioners. The death toll rises with the water from Helene and now Milton seeks to show its worth, namely in being one of the largest storms in recorded history. Moment after moment stacks up to resemble a mimicry of Job’s trials on an entire population.
How long O Lord might be the mantra of some, yet I imagine the faithful are—while not smiling—waking with faith as their guide. God doesn’t cause hurricanes, God doesn’t kill our friends, and God won’t ever abandon us. No matter how much it may feel like those may be the case given the current circumstances…
It is in these times, walking in the valley of the shadow of death, that we need reminding of the call to fear no evil. We must remember that God is with us, whether that be beside still waters or raging currents. The torrential downpour of natural disaster replicates inside us as our hearts grieve the loss of life and dreams. Of friends and family. Of better days. Disaster strikes in blitzkrieg form as lightning touches the earth and singes our surroundings, yet our souls remain untarnished due to the divine spark provided by our and nature’s creator. That life-giving energy sustains us and shields us allowing joy to be sought in the storm.
I do not know if life has always been this difficult. Perhaps as I age, I see more clearly rather than through a glass darkly. But it doesn’t matter. This is the life we live, here, today. It is the gift given to us by God who continues override nature’s currents with His own deluge of grace. We just have to see it; we must be willing to cry out in the wilderness of our momentary desperation with the words of praise and request for respite rather than the curses of faithlessness.
Keep praying. Pray for the families affected by the storms. Pray for those here at home affected by loss. Pray for the caregiver who needs care themselves. Pray for the lonely who search every day for a kind word or a gentle touch. Pray for the bereaved. Pray for the Church to be the Church and then remember that you—and I—are part of it. We pray. Then we act.
Call someone today; you never know when phones won’t work anymore. Text someone a word of encouragement; you never know when you’ll have the chance to again. Write a letter that someone can keep forever; our time is also limited. Open your lips, let your mouth proclaim God’s praise, and be the heralds of faith and fortitude rather than the harbingers of woe and pity. We must stand mighty in this stormy season my friends, whether those be the storms miles away or the ones churning in our own hearts. For God is with us.
God is with us.
Faithfully,
Fr. Sean+
An Open Letter to Mr. Ryan Walters
An open letter to Mr. Ryan Walters and those in positions of authority:
Mr. Walters, et al.,
Recently the decision was implemented that the Bible be an instituted piece of curriculum within the Oklahoma school systems, statewide. In your direct words,
“It’s crystal clear to us that in the Oklahoma academic standards under Title 70 on multiple occasions, the Bible is a necessary historical document to teach our kids about the history of this country, to have a complete understanding of Western civilization, to have an understanding of the basis of our legal system,” Walters said.
While you most certainly will not read this, I still feel the impetus to address your comments, one by one, and disabuse you and yours of the inherent flaws of thought evinced by your decision. First, let us begin with your statement above. If you truly believe that the Bible is simply an historical document deemed to be utilized as a secular teaching tool, then I have to point to the blatant heresy in your words. The Bible is, without equivocation, the divine working of God made manifest in writings through God’s disciples and prophets throughout the ages. Whittling down the intent of holy scripture to the base of being ‘historically accurate information’ is akin to stating that the Bible is simply another history book without further meaning.
You cannot possibly, as you espouse your Christianity, believe that to be true. As a Christian, I assume that holy scripture has meaning in your life and allows you to perceive the world through the lens of faith that Scripture helps support. So, stating that the Bible is only necessary for explaining “a complete understanding of Western civilization, to have an understanding of the basis of our legal system,” is a direct undermining of historians everywhere who have painstakingly taken the time to curate world history, and American history, and reducing that work to be inadequate. I am the proud possessor of three college degrees, Mr. Walters. I was educated in a poor public school system by teachers who did their best with the materials provided—not once did they attempt to utilize the Bible as an historical document.
Do you know why that is?
Because it’s not.
There are no dates provided with specificity to allow children to grasp an historical timeline within which said events took place. At best, there are general eras indicated. Now, if you would like to employ theologians of all stripes to explain and elucidate the timelines of the Bible, I would readily agree that that would be immeasurably better than allowing someone without the proper training and education to do so. Put another way: Would you allow someone with an English degree to teach Mathematics? Would someone with a history degree be qualified to teach Spanish? No, no they would not. Their esoteric knowledge is what makes them irreplaceable conduits for education in their fields. They are literally the experts. So, having someone teach the Bible in courses without proper background education is akin to allowing someone who stayed at a Holiday Inn Express operate on someone who is actively in need of a heart transplant.
The next statement you made in reference to the ruling made in favor of St. Isolde’s:
“What the court did was rule against the parents of Oklahoma who have demanded more choices for their kids. We have a great opportunity to make sure that parents have the most options of any parents in the country here in Oklahoma, by giving them the ability to go to a public school, charter schools, private schools, this would have been the most unique charter school in the country,” Walters said.
Mr. Walters, you have contradicted yourself, here. If parents are being wronged by one school teaching a particular tenet of Christianity within their walls, then aren’t they also being wronged by the inability to have multiple sources of what you call ‘historical documents’ made available? For instance, the Quran? The Talmud? The Amduat? All of these texts have important places in the history of the world, and yes, even the history of the United States. Yet, the Bible is that which you have chosen. How does this allow for an equitable glance at a fundamental understanding of Western Civilization? Would not knowing that from which the Pilgrims fled, that from which Christianity departs, be necessary to understand how the current America operates and holds its ethos? That assumes also that this country is founded upon Christian ideals—a fact that can easily be disputed when considering Thomas Jefferson was a Unitarian. Would not these other instances of ‘historical documents’ then be necessary to parse out the ‘why and how’ of the evolution this country how it has experienced said evolution over the last three hundred years?
I am also dismayed at the notion that the Ten Commandments be posted and taught in the classroom. These are tenets of faith, not historicity, and as such are beyond the scope of the separation of Church and State. Actively applying the ten commandments to children’s daily learning is swerving into a lane, again, of theology and not civic instruction. And, if I am being completely honest, none of us are able to live into the decalogue without the grace of God. So, how exactly do those commandments play into the teaching regimen necessary to instruct children of the history and goings-on of a nascent country departing from a monarchy and attempting to establish itself as a democracy?
Because, Mr. Walters, America is a democracy. We are not a theocratic nation. Therefore, if you want to teach holy scripture, the ten commandments, or any other type of faith-based material, then you would have to allow ministers and priests with Masters of Divinity or, in the least, a degree from a bible college, to do so. We are the only ones qualified—per the requirements you place on other teachers of varying subjects—to instruct children in the ways of the subject matter. Thus, you turn a democratic history into a present theocracy.
Mr. Walters, your decision is heretical, underhanded, and pandering to a base of people who don’t really want the Bible taught in schools. Why? Because people belong to different denominations within Christianity and we don’t all agree on everything. Therefore, I urge you with my entire soul, to recant your unilateral decision to sway and indoctrinate the minds of young people with a one-sided view of Christianity. Doing this will only result in more hatred of other religions, denominations within Christianity, and push people further away from considering a faith-based community.
Stay in your lane, Mr. Walters. Leave theological teaching to those who earned the right to do so.
Faithfully,
The Rev. Sean A. Ekberg, MDiv
Episcopal Church of the Resurrection
Oklahoma City, OK
Start Spreadin' the News
I followed a devil-worshiper to work yesterday, a sentence I never thought I’d write. Typically, people put bumper stickers of their kids’ schools, sports, or political ideas on their cars. Or, in some cases, have that ‘coexist’ sticker—commentary forthcoming on that one, later—with all the symbols meshed to make the word. But I can honestly report that I’ve never seen an active disciple of satan cruising down the road.
The white minivan had professionally made decals of a goat’s head and horns set into an upside-down pentagram, all in black, set against the white of the vehicle. Interesting choice. Above that resided another pentagram encircled with reverse arcs on either side. Okay. This woman is really into some pagan stuff. At least, that’s what I thought until she rounded a bend and I saw a full-size depiction of a demon on her van. Again, professionally made. Turns out, at another opposite bend, it was mirrored on the other side.
I couldn’t help myself. I started yelling. Not at her, or anyone for that matter, but at the silence in my truck. I was so angry that someone would place that on their ride for the whole world to see. But more than that? I was sad. How have we come to a place in our society when satan is the choice people are making? I don’t care if this is an outlier—I know there are tons more Christians than satanists in the world--it’s the fact that any exist at all that unnerves me. And lastly: Where did this person readily find the desire to accept the tenets of satan rather than the free gift of Christ’s grace?
Has no one told you the Good News? Do you have kids? Do you love them? If yes, then you can’t be a satanist. Love and satan are diametrically opposed. Do you honestly believe that a lifetime of ‘I do what I want’ on earth is worth an eternity of suffering?
Did the church hurt you that deeply?
Did your parents?
What happened?
I had so many questions. I still do. I haven’t been able to shake the image of that van; it’s living rent-free in my head. I also haven’t been able to reconcile a belief system that eschews love and embraces evil. But mostly? I haven’t been able to take an honest look at my own witness in the world and be content with it.
If people are literally turning to the dark side (here’s to you, Vader), then our work is far from finished. Are we talking to strangers about God? Do we even bring up faith with friends? Are we inviting people into this community—not our community, GOD’s community—and welcoming them as they are? Is the message each Sunday one of love, or is it a constant challenge? An exhausting narrative? I deeply desire one thing, and one thing alone: To spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. If we can do that, discipleship is the byproduct. Vans with satan on the side get parked; faith becomes the vehicle that shows our love and who we serve. We cannot become comfortable in our little bubble. People need the message we have on the tips of our tongues and in the deep recesses of our souls.
Christ has died.
Christ has risen.
Christ will come again.
And all of this was done out of love. Let love be genuine, kindness be our shield, and faith be the driving force behind everything we do. Faith that God isn’t through with us, and that through us, God isn’t done changing hearts and minds everywhere.
Faithfully,
Fr. Sean+
The Power of Welcome
As humans, we seek love and acceptance. That’s a universal truth unparalleled. Regardless of station or caste, people genuinely desire to be around one another—we are social creatures. Christianity’s main tenet is to dive deeply into this ethos, to love one another as Christ loves us. As Christ accepts us. Unfortunately, the church large has been found guilty of failing in this mission from time to time. Now, more than ever, the people ‘out there’ have started to believe that they aren’t welcome at church anymore. They have been told they’re not good enough, they’re too sinful, or the church requires them to be perfect to attend. They’ve been told God is angry. They’ve been warned that they need to ‘be’ a certain way before they set foot on hallowed ground.
Allow me to disabuse everyone of this fallacy.
We live in a world that is constantly gatekeeping. Out there, the cliques that form circles to exclude seek power and authority. In here, within the realm of Christianity, we draw our circles to include. Whether you’ve been here for sixty years, or last Sunday was your first time entering the building, you are welcome.
You are welcome to worship.
You are welcome to help in ministries.
You are welcome to attend bible study.
You are welcome to dress comfortably. Or nicely. Whichever suits you.
You are welcome to be single, married, straight, gay, black, white, latino, female, male, aged or young.
You are welcome to say the Nicene Creed, or wait until you learn what it means.
You are welcome (and encouraged) to sing, or simply stand and enjoy the joyful noise.
You are welcome to share your knowledge or to gain some yourself.
You are welcome to give of your time, talent, and treasure. Or not.
You are welcome to receive grace.
You are welcome to receive communion, regardless of your past.
You are welcome to ask questions.
You are welcome to give answers.
You are welcome to be tattooed.
You are welcome when you’re tired.
You are welcome when you’re hurting.
You are welcome when you’re searching.
You are welcome here.
Welcome home.
Faithfully,
Fr. Sean+
Transformers
Sometime within the last few hours, someone decided to use a small car as a means by which to relocate our power transformer in the back yard of the church. Thankfully, no memorial gardens were harmed during the attempted relocation. The power was out at the church for a few hours so luckily all foodstuffs are still within eating parameters. As for the perpetrator of this ingenious plot, their whereabouts and whoabouts are still unknown. Our cameras will be fitted with backup batteries in the very near future to ensure we can keep them rolling in case of further attempts on immovable objects at the church.
Having said all of this, it strikes me how quickly OG+E responded and replaced the issue. For a few hours, the church was without power; we were in the dark and facing potential cancelations of ministries for the day as well as work. But these people, just three guys, came in fast and hard to provide light to a darkened situation. Now, because of their response, the lights are on, the food is flowing, and we can continue on.
This got me thinking about how the church operates in the world. We live in some dark moments. People everywhere experience struggles and have no light being shed on their plight. People are hungry. People are sad. People are angry. Their world stops while the outside just keeps humming along. They’re powerless. In many ways, these three wise men of OG+E are an image of what the church does in these situations. We’re able to shed light in dark times, give messages of hope. We can empower the powerless just by showing up and doing what it is we said we'd do in our baptismal vows. Sure, sometimes people misinterpret those messages, and we unintentionally do harm, but even that can be fixed quickly by being active and alert—by showing up and offering to make amends to the situation.
The church is powered by a transformer in OKC.
The world is transformed through the power of Christ, and we are the transformer in His name.
Don’t let the darkness take you down roads of despair. If you’re feeling powerless, the church community you belong to will lift you into the light. If you’re feeling hurt, your community will be a balm to those wounds. If your priest misspeaks and you feel displaced, know that he’s a pretty loving guy that always wants the chance to make amends and show you love.
We were without power in the church for a few hours. We are never without power in the name of Jesus Christ. No matter how dark it gets out there, the light is ever burning in our hearts and we are the lamps to shed that light for others. That’s our job and our response to these hurts must be quick and must be vigilant.
Thanks be to God for the power to shed light to those in the darkness; thanks be to this community for being that conduit that can transform lives.
Faithfully,
Fr. Sean+
Harbingers of Grace
Contemporary theologian Rick Goralewicz recently wrote, concerning Palm Sunday:
“We stand in the conflict between expectation and reality as we join with the crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem this Palm Sunday. We participate in the drama of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ with all of our own hopes and expectations. But unlike the crowd and Herod, we are offered a choice to allow God into our lives to transform those hopes and expectations according to God’s will, not our own.”
Reflected in the mirror each day is a person searching for their better self. Each day we awake with plans, each night we fall asleep with recognition that those plans weren’t entirely executed. Our choices that day led to winding pathways, snaking our attention from the straight paths of our intended walk. In short, we just didn’t quite ‘get there’. Alas, tomorrow it is, then.
The days bleed into one another becoming weeks. Weeks turn to months and months to seasons—before we recognize it, our faces have changed in that mirror, lines have been added and our minds have lost a step. It becomes harder to pursue our own plans and some of our dreams die in silent whispers carried away by time. Our choices brought us to this point; our plans suffered because of them.
But this choice mentioned above, this opportunity to allow God to transform us, is what makes this life worth living. The choice to say yes to God allows us to acknowledge that our failures in accomplishing daily tasks are not failures at all; they're simply alternate courses yet unvisited due to a holier destination. This yes smooths out the lines created from worry. It eases the stress of a wandering mind. By allowing God to seep into our thoughts and hearts, we’re allowing ourselves the grace that is unrelentingly seeking to carry new whispers of hope into our souls. Those whispers, once received, turn into shouts of praise and thanksgiving. Our previously laid plans become less important as we die unto ourselves and live into Christ. Then, we become that version of the better self sought in our previous years. All along, we simply needed to allow for God’s will to invade us, connecting to every fiber of our being; to transform us through perfect grace rather than attempting to imperfectly mold ourselves through our own power.
Without Christ we are powerless to transcend our human desires and be transformed into what we were and are meant to be: harbingers of grace. Our plans take a backseat to God’s intentions when we choose to listen. The less important and penultimate goals of our lives seem lesser when we return the embrace offered freely, eagerly awaiting our response that says, “Here I am Lord, send me.”
We must expect less of ourselves in terms of what we are capable of without Christ and lean into what that great yes—the answer to allowing God in—will accomplish. Our reality is only limited by what we choose to make of it. This week, and every other week that follows, start saying yes to God. Yes, I will love my neighbor. Yes, I will worship because I desire you. Yes, I will consult you prior to making plans. Yes, I will look upon my own face with grace and courage, knowing that you work mightily through me. Yes, I will faithfully stumble just as I will be set right by your grace. And yes, I see your marvelous works in action, and I see myself as one of them.
Yes, Lord. Yes.
Faithfully,
Fr. Sean+
He Shall from Time to Time
The television show, “The West Wing”, has some of the best writing I have ever encountered in entertainment. So. Many. Quotables. One, however, sticks out to me today. “He shall from time to time…”
The episode’s titular phrase leads the viewer into the state of the union address, which occurs at the end of the show. In its end, the episode culminates with a conversation between the president and his secretary of agriculture. In case of an attack, the cabinet always leaves one person behind in a safe location so that the government can continue working as intended, through crisis. I’m doing this from memory, so forgive the misquote if there is one…
President: “You know what to do if the worst happens? Gather the generals, go to DEFCON 1. Call the stock market and shut it down. You have a best friend?”
AgSec: “Yessir.”
President: “Is he smarter than you?”
AgSec: “Yessir. He is.”
President: “That’s your chief of staff.”
Meanwhile, in the other room, his COS overhears the convo, and a sweet moment is made.
This weekend is our ‘State of the Union’. Most folks attend meetings for work, regularly, so when their church calls and says, “Hey, we have an idea: Let’s have another MEETING,” they tend to shy away. Suddenly, that cough they have had for the last few days becomes ‘more serious’; the lawn looks like it needs to be cut…with scissors; that garage ain’t gonna clean itself. In other words, excuses bubble up out of nowhere. “Dang, looks like I’m gonna have to miss that…”
But here’s the deal: This meeting is important. We’re going to talk about the last year, honor some folks, discuss finances, discuss ministries, and give the game-plan for the coming twelve months. And, we’re leaving Kay in another room in case y’all mutiny and we need someone left on staff to keep the church going. (sarcasm for those who don’t read it well)
The meeting will be led by me, but I’ll have one of my best friends there—Marc Lau. He’s smarter than me and I trust him. He’s my Chief of Staff, the Senior Warden. The generals take form in Fr. Dion, Trina, and Nicole—we’ll be in good shape with them leading the charge.
You are the army of God. Your persistence in affecting change around you is evident by virtue of your love for one another. You laugh together, cry together, pray together, and live life as more than ‘church friends’. You are actually close to at least one other person in this community. This meeting is important, not because of the ‘business’ portion (which is still necessary) but because we all need to gather so that we see the vitality surging around us in this place.
We often desire to see evidence of the call God places on us; we ask God to show us that we’re doing the right things and that in us He is well-pleased. Well, if you come to the meeting after church, one thing will come to light for certain: That wish will be answered. God may not always let us know how deeply pleased and loved we are through seeing…but when we’re all together? We will see God’s love manifest in our community. He doesn’t always show us…
But He shall from time to time.
Faithfully,
Fr. Sean+
A New Hope
I’ve heard it said, “What you do on the first day of the year will become your yearly practice.” Now, I don’t know if that’s entirely accurate (or even moderately so) but I do like the premise. Entering a new year can bring hope, if one is so inclined to seek it. However, another circle around the sun has the potential to be just that: another ol’ year. The attitude with which we lean into the turning of the calendar is what matters; perhaps this is what that sage advice up top meant…
Stepping from one day to another is fluid, often part of a schedule that seems to bleed one moment into the next. One day turns into a week, a week into a month, and then before we know it, we’re back on the first day of the year. But what has changed? Did we take the time to slow down and evaluate ourselves and our actions on a daily basis? On a weekly one? Did we take a moment to affect minor changes or did the race begin and we just started running?
I’ll be honest, a new year doesn’t mean much to me in terms of the mystical ‘it’s a blank slate’ mentality. It can be boiled down to remembering which year to fill in on web forms and doctor’s office visits. Yet, this is the very issue I am attempting to address. It should be more, at least in my opinion. A new year presents opportunity for change to occur with intentionality. Just like most habits tend to do better when one begins on a Monday rather than a Thursday (that’s actually true), most change on a macro level would seem fitting for January first, rather than July third.
What attitudes do you hope to embrace this year? Do you hold hopes of spiritual growth? Of discipleship? What changes are coming? A new child, a new job, retirement? How will you face them and with what attitude will you conduct yourself? I ask myself these questions and find that I don’t know—at least, I don’t know what will occur. I do know this, however: Whatever comes, it is not in my power to keep those moments from occurring. The control I have manifests itself in the form of how I respond.
If we can adopt a sense of hopefulness, if we can embrace our faith and nurture our spiritual lives, if we can be steeped in the word…then we will be able to approach this new chapter with our heads, hearts, and souls in check. The blending of days will still happen, but a sense of purpose and overall health will bloom within us. Then, and only then, will we be able to shift our perceptions from ones of negativity and jaded views, to ones of vitality in times of joy and faithful endurance in times of pain.
We can begin these changes on the first day of the week, month or year. But we must begin, so that in the Last day, we are prepared to meet God in faith, hope and love for that eternal chapter that never ends.
Happy New Year
Fr. Sean+
The Great Unknowing
December 19th, 2023
Scripture
32‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
36 ‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
--Matthew 24:32-44
Reflection
There’s so much we don’t know about God. Yet, given enough time in church settings, Christians develop a sense of God ownership. What begins as curious exploration into the relationship between the person and God, seems to phase into an absolute truth regarding God. Lines are drawn. Doctrines are created. Denominations rise. Divisions multiply. The body of Christ slowly dismembers itself, detaching and moving further away from each of its parts in the name of wholesome wholeness. It is out of our desire to be right, that the actual knowledge we hold—the axiom of ‘God is love’—is lost in a maelstrom of we-versus-them theology.
Recently, a woman told me about her experience in prison. More specifically, the times in which baptisms were offered to the populace. Due to time constraints and security, many of these baptisms occurred in large numbers; multiple ministers from varying denominations would take turns baptizing inmates who identified with their denominational structures. As each minister went to the podium, and then to the baptismal font, she remembered feeling a sense of confusion and hurt. Small statements were made by each minister, subtly dismissing their previous counterpart’s theology through thinly veiled statements or corrections. In all of this, she felt lost. When she was released from prison, she didn’t want to attend church. She said, “Why would I go to a place that was so worried about what the other people were doing that they might forget about me?”
I didn’t know what to say…
Our constant pledge to spread the good news of Christ by word and example can be sullied by our inability to articulate what and who we are in Christ. Rather, we utilize the practice of proclaiming what and who we aren’t, all too often. It is in this mode that none of us can be ready to receive the arrival of Christ, being too preoccupied with our constrained perceptions of him. If we would let our sense of knowing be scaled back, just a bit, perhaps an anticipatory and curious unknowing could reassert itself, allowing us the grace to be accepted when Christ comes. Perhaps the body of Christ can be drawn back toward itself with a small amount of humility in that same unknowing.
Being ready doesn’t mean being right; it means remaining open to the myriad mysteries that have been revealed to us by the resurrected Christ and open to the possibilities of those which have yet to be revealed by his coming again. My hope during this and every Advent, is to embrace the knowledge and love of God that I feel, while also waiting in joyful anticipation for the Christ who comes again to reveal the remaining truth that passes all understanding.
The Rev. Sean A. Ekberg, Rector
Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, OKC
Giving of Thanks
Next week, we’ll gather together for Thanksgiving. In our homes or at the church, we will share a meal together in remembrance of people coming together to share ideals and ways in which to flourish amid diversity. The pluralistic nature of our first encounters in this world, as well as the ‘new world’ back then, continue to inform us concerning the differences we possess while attempting to live together in community.
As a microcosm of the wider world, the church exhibits similar attributes of the wider pluralistic society. Yet, our differences can be more easily lived through due to our shared belief in the Holy Trinity. Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which our community is built, thus creating a shared sense of belonging not readily found in the wider world. In short: We are special, set apart, and encouraged to spread good news and THE Good News to the rest of the world.
This world doesn’t receive good news readily, nor does it allow for a pervasive exchange of thanks, given the daily chaos surrounding us. Yet, that’s where we can be of service. As we experience Thanksgiving next week, I hope we will be reminded that every day is given to us in thanksgiving to God. Our thanks should be directed in eternal gratitude toward Christ for his ultimate sacrifice. The meal we share together next week mimics that which we take part in every Sunday. We will gather together. We will say prayers. We will fellowship with each other. We will share news of our lives and love with those to whom we are kin. The difference between that meal and the one shared each Sunday is simple: One occurs once a year and is in temporal thanks, the other is every week and in remembrance of passionate sacrifice and eternal love.
Be thankful, my friends. Be thankful for your loved ones, passed, past, and present. Be thankful for your church community, and for those who have yet to join us. And ultimately, be reminded that we live in a perpetual moment of thanksgiving which began at the table of the Last Supper, witnessed the loving sacrifice on the cross, and culminated in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to God for that, for you, and for this place we now call home. Thanks be to you, and thanks be to God.
Faithfully,
Fr. Sean+