January 24, 2025
This week was a long year, wasn't it? If you have not been paying attention to the news, I commend you for protecting your peace. If you have been even catching glimpses of it, chances are you're feeling exhausted. Regardless of one's views on different issues, the week has unfolded at a fast and furious pace. It is a lot to take in.
There is much for us to discuss. Episcopal Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde's, sermon at the National Prayer Service, in which she preached from Scripture and from our Baptismal Covenant, pleading for mercy for all who are struggling and fearful right now - and for which she has received death threats. There is worry about the safety of LGBTQ people. There is concern for refugees and immigrants in our country. Concern for the systems that have brought stability to our common life. There is wondering from many of you about how you can best live out the call to love our neighbors right now.
Below I will share some of what the national Episcopal church and our own Bishop are offering in this moment. But this is what I'll say to you: In keeping our Baptismal promises to respect the dignity of every human being, our call to do justice, love kindness, walk humbly, and the command to love our neighbors as ourselves, there will be work for us to do in the coming weeks, months, and years. The people of God will need your strength, hope, and loving arms. And. We can only be helpful to others if we are also taking care of ourselves.
I encourage you now more than ever to make time to find joy in your lives. Spend time in nature and marvel at Creation. Spend time with your communities in person, and laugh with friends. Make time for prayer and meditation and for connecting with something bigger than yourself. Go deep into this. Don't forget the "yourself" part of love your neighbor as yourself. Ground yourself. Nurture yourself. Intentionally spend time letting yourself be filled with the love of God and the Light of Christ, each and every day. This is how we can end up to be most helpful to others. And then take all the rest slowly. Episcopal Bishop Steven Charleston puts it this way:
When things feel like they are happening too fast, the elders suggest slowing down your reactions to them. Leaping forward to respond to every new reality can wear you out. Practice mindfulness. You will know when and how to act when your response will have an impact. Do not lose your sense of balance. Choose your own time and place.
My prayer for you this week is that you feel the deep peace of Christ settled in your soul. That you are able to ground yourself in the vastness, and the closeness, of God. In Hebrew the word for breath and Spirit are the same: ruach. Breathe deeply. Let Spirit fill you. Choose your own time and place for the rest. The work, and partners in the work, will always be there when you're ready.