A very present help in trouble.
Dear friends and members of St. Matt's,
The eleventh chapter of John's Gospel tells the story of Jesus arriving in Bethany to stand outside the tomb of his beloved friend, Lazarus. When Jesus arrives, Lazarus has already been in the tomb for four days. And it's clear that Jesus knows what he's going to do - he knows the power he has, and he knows how the story is going to end. And still, as he reaches the tomb, he stands there and weeps. In fact, people are fond of saying that this is the shortest sentence in the Bible: Jesus wept. Simple. Descriptive. He wept.
It's one of the most compellingly human moments we get to see through the lenses of history and tradition. And it's important for us to see it. Because even though he knows better than anyone the power he has, even though he knows he will raise Lazarus again, even though he knows how everything will end - the Savior stands outside the tomb of his friend, and he weeps because love leaves a mark. And because the loss of love breaks our hearts.
I begin with this story today because I know that so many of you and so many of our kids are struggling this week. I have heard from and seen so many of you in these last few days. I'm glad to have had the chance to be with you - and talk with you - and I hope that you'll continue to be in touch. For all of us, the loss of a loved one is like this. Our faith promises us that there is resurrection, that there is eternal life. And we believe that we know the end of the story. And still, when we are confronted with loss, we ache and we weep. And there is nothing unfaithful about that. Instead, it appears to be a deep, human bond we share with Jesus.
One of the other things we share with Jesus is the assurance that God is always with us - even in trouble. Psalm 46 begins with the words, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." I pray that you might carry these words with you this week, wherever you are on your journey. And that they might help you to see the ways God is reaching out to care for you and the ways that God is present to help. For me, I most often experience that very present help in the midst of worship or in the connection I share with someone else. So, I encourage you to be in touch, to come and worship this weekend, and to hold on to each other and to the promises of God.
Our day on Sunday will be a little different than was planned, so please scroll down a little to look at an updated schedule for the day. We will still worship with our Presbyterian siblings at 10:00am for Festival of Children. And there are some changes to other parts of the day listed below.
Please don't hesitate to be in touch if there is anything I can do for you. God loves you, and so do I.
Faithfully,
--Marissa +
Tags: Welcome from the Rector