March 1, 2021 Message from your Rector

Dear Parish Family:
 Obedient Children
In our Wednesday Lenten Experience series this week we move from Fasting to Solitude.
I can hear students saying: "Haven't we had enough solitude lately?"
Jesus took time to get away to be with his Father.
We should do the same.
 
When I am in solitude, I am reminded what I missed. 
For example, today I headed out the door without praying with Suiter and giving her a kiss, much less talking to God when I woke up. 
What should have I prayed to the Father? 
Maybe something like:
"What would you have me do today Lord? Then Listen.
Will you remove the veil and help me see that someone needs your love today?
Then think of others.
 
This would have been better than stumbling into the day on my own accord!
Our busyness is beyond busy thanks to the influx of emails, texts, and social media chats.
 
When I traveled to Northern Kenya in 2012, the villages just a few kilometers from the Ethiopian border were fascinating. Before dusk, the women and children gathered firewood and water to prepare for the evening meal. Then the men and boys arrived with harvested grains and meat. Then as we sat speaking to the elders of the tribe, I heard a humming noise that sounded like a swarm of bees or hornets. We stopped talking and listened.
 
It was the sound of families in their huts gathered for their meal simply talking, sharing, laughing, etc. There were several ground huts within close proximity of one another.
I couldn't believe that the sound I heard would be so foreign to me, but as an American, our culture has moved away from dinners together and these people didn't have electricity or any devices powered by batteries.
 
A relationship powered by love - simply spending time with family, talking to one another - a consistent sound of conversation that sounded like humming; a sound that God placed on my heart to remember. I'll never forget it.
 
The purpose of God's law given to a wandering nation of Israelites in the wilderness was to show them their inability to keep it, prompting them to obey because of who God is: slow to anger, showing mercy, always loving.
 
Quoting from the The Jesus Bible "A proper response to the unilateral work of Jesus Christ, is a life of obedience which is a work of God's grace by the power of his Spirit in those whom he has already adopted as his children."
 
Let us be like obedient children finding our way back home, getting cleaned up, seeking loving  fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
 
Would you consider finding solitude today? 
Practice walking with Jesus in prayer, seeking to hear God speak in unconditional love. 
"All who truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and seek to live in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking in his holy ways: draw near with faith and make your humble confession to Almighty God."
 
God's Blessings and Peace!
Rags+