"Be still, then, and know that I am God..."   

Dear Friends,

I must confess, I’ve struggled to write a reflection for this week.  

To be clear, it isn’t that there is too little going on in our world, too few passages of scripture to reflect upon, or a deficit of beauty in our midst to inspire writing.  Indeed, it is actually quite the opposite.  

Over the past few days, I'm aware that I have taken in more of the news than I typically consume, am often sidetracked by the richness of the two short passages of scripture we’ll read in worship on Sunday, and am frequently captivated by the beauty of these mountains we call home.  

In truth, I have found the days of this week to be utterly over-stimulating, filled both with joy and wonder, sadness and fear. Perhaps you have experienced, or are experiencing, a similar range of feelings and emotions in your own life.  After all, there is so much competing for our attention and our energy, day after day. 

My prayer, selfish though it may be, is that each of us might find moments of solace and rest amidst these days of anxiety and tumult in our common life as a community, nation, and world.  In our  Book of Common Prayer , there is a prayer that I return to, again and again, for moments such as this – 

O God of peace, you have taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

(BCP, 832 )

May the peace and strength of the living God be known to us, each and every one, in rest and quietness.

Faithfully,

The Reverend Andrew J. Hege

Rector