From our Pastors
The readings this past Sunday seem particularly apt for the time in which we live. The Letter to the Romans reminds us that all creation groans and we along with it as we await the fullness of redemption, when all is set right and the reign of God is revealed in its fullness. The gospel of the sower and the seed is a call to encouragement for us. Even as we “groan”, the divine seed of grace and wholeness is being scattered by Jesus, within us and around us. Scorching sun, stony soil, and thorns threaten to kill and choke off the divine action in our lives and world. Jesus offers a cautionary reference to us as he cites the sixth chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:
You shall indeed hear but not understand,
you shall indeed look but never see.
Gross is the heart of this people,
they will hardly hear with their ears,
they have closed their eyes,
lest they see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their hearts and be converted,
and I heal them.
There is a word being scattered in our own day and time by the Incarnate Word. Have we the ears to hear it and the openness to embrace the One who scatters within us and around us? Are we able to mutually listen with others in our fellowship of pilgrims who echo this word? As we continue to navigate the ongoing Covid pandemic, let’s listen to those who know and understand the science and how to stay safe. In the heat of the day (literally), we still need to wear our face covering, maintain social spacing and wash our hands. As we look at issues of race and social structure, let us listen to Jesus and to one another as we continue our Zoom series this week. May the good seed of God’s grace take deeper root within us.
Fr. Michael Callaghan, c.o. and Fr. Mark Lane, c.o.