WEEKLY REFLECTION | Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany, February 13, 2022

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Last Sunday, I was privileged to chair my first annual meeting for St. Margaret’s, and to preach and celebrate at the Annual Meeting Sunday service. If you were able to attend, you heard me reflect on the fact that no matter who we are or what our capabilities are (or lack of capabilities!), God calls us. And God also calls our parish. You can hear the Scriptures about those callings and my reflection at https://youtu.be/4ANJxQUG7Gs.

Not that I am claiming it is such a great reflection, mind you. But it’s important to know that God never ceases to have business with us and for us. As one of my mentors once said, late in his life, “Apparently, God ain’t done with me yet!”

I find that concept incredibly comforting and encouraging! Today’s collect says:

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully
accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do
nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that
in keeping your commandments we may please you both in
will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

We are reminded that we are NOT all-powerful. We are finite and have many limitations. BUT that God’s grace is available to us. And only through that grace can we hope to keep the commandments that please God in will and deed. This is not just thinking about pleasing God, but through that grace, pleasing God in the way we live our lives.

The season of Lent will soon be upon us. We will be offering two programs this year. One offers the opportunity to experiment with praying through writing. The other is an examination of the Way of Love, the program our Presiding Bishop put together, based on 7 practices that Jesus taught. Either or both of them can help us explore some of the God-pleasing deeds the collect refers to and consider ways that God might be calling us.

You may sign up for one or both programs. Please DO let me know if you plan to attend, so I can organize the groups. You will need to acquire the books, which are available from Amazon. If getting the books is complicated for you, please let me know and I’ll order them.