Our Time

Dear friends in Christ, 

I, along with Fr. CJ and over 100 of our clergy colleagues were gathered on Wednesday for the Fall Clergy Day in our Diocese.  This year’s speaker was The Rt. Rev. Rob Wright, Bishop of Atlanta.  He reminded us of the importance of staying present  to the  needs and realities of today’s church, today’s world.  He said we need to “look truth in the eye” and not be sentimental about the past nor too focused on plans for the future.  Our work is now, with one another, and with the needs of our world. We are to follow the example of Jesus who was fully present to each person he encountered–the wide variety of people he saw and healed, instructed and loved.   I heard in Bishop Rob’s words echoes of my beloved spiritual guide, Thomas Merton, who wrote: 

“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going.  What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope.”  Thomas Merton

Earlier in the week, I had seen another reflection about “our time.”  This one from the Creation Care resources offered by the Church.  In the quote below, Rev. Dr. Luther Smith of Candler School of Theology, offers a perspective that is a challenging invitation to take up our share in Jesus’ call, in spite of, and in response to the fact that our time is now.  As human creatures, we live in a present, which is the present we have been given.  Smith echoes Merton too. 

Smith:  I hear people’s anxiety about the present and future state of the world… All this has led many to feel and say, “The times have never been this bad!” Although I understand how people come to this conclusion, I also know that every generation has faced crises that threatened to rip apart their personal, social, and political foundations… We insult our ancestors by exclaiming that we are overwhelmed and incapacitated because we live in the worst of times.

This is our season! This is our time! We cannot use the increased complexity of our times and lives as an excuse to withdraw from our distinctive challenges. Every generation has dealt with confusing new realities that led to bewildering circumstances. Every generation has had the challenges and opportunities to embrace the work of hope. This is our time! This is our season! Hope is here to enliven us to life and the practices of justice and beloved community… Each one of us can be a sign of hope for this and future seasons.

At the end of his talk, Bishop Rob closed by saying: 

“We have every good reason to take heart.

God is not dead.

We should hope.

It’s all in the Bible–examples of people who seemed powerless who made changes and experienced transformation.”

Come to worship each week.  Pray for peace.  Walk in the shoes of the righteous. Be a witness to Jesus.  Be a witness to love. Be a witness to truth.  The church is our way to embody the grace and love bestowed upon us by our Savior Jesus Christ.  Yes, we are imperfect people, living in an imperfect world, but we are pointing to something bigger than ourselves.  Pointing to Jesus.  AMEN. 

In Christ, 

Nancy+