March 17, 2021 Message from your Rector

Dear Parish Family:

"O give me the comfort of your help again *and sustain me with your willing Spirit" 
(Psalm 51:12)
 
Yesterday (Tuesday) was my final post-op from my hip surgery. The surgeon asked me to "take a walk down the hall". Fine, I wanted to show off a little bit and quickly paced off my new and improved stride. When I turned around and came back, he said "Better, but not where I want you to be." (Ouch)
 
As he further explained, my range of motion and flexibility needs improvement because "You only have a limited time to push the clock back until things settle in." (Double Ouch)
 
What I learned is that since my recovery, I have been only reminded by others on how well I am getting around. Even my Physical Therapist tells me I am doing great. But my Surgeon and I know, I haven't been stretching and doing my exercises on a daily basis. 
 
"The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:38)
 
As we near the end of Lent, we must not confuse Palm Sunday-Holy Week-Easter as the Spiritual finish line. We are not only on a Lenten Journey with Jesus to the Cross, we are on a life-long journey of Discipleship, learning to live like Jesus: The Way of Life.
 
Similar to my needing a flexibility coach to encourage me to go further, and literally stretch my imagination beyond where I am today, we all need a Spiritual Coach to encourage us to press on in the upward call. The writer of Hebrews refers to Jesus as the Great High Priest:
"Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him"...(Hebrews 5:10)
 
Please pray with me:
Lord, as we seek to gather together again in worship and fellowship, send your Holy Spirit to come alongside and be our coach, for you are the Great Physician, the healer and lover of souls. As the days lengthen, lengthen also our stride as we walk toward your loving embrace lifted high upon the cross. May we find strength through your Word and a grace-filled discipline in the power of your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen 
 
Looking forward to seeing more of you in the days ahead!
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