In an article in Sojourners Magazine entitled, “Rising from the Ashes,” a priest in San Salvador tells the story of an 11-year-old boy named Juanito whom he met in an orphanage not long after civil war wracked that country. A few years earlier, the boy had been rescued after his entire family was killed in front of him. Somehow, he alone had survived the attack unharmed.

Since that day, the boy struggled, sometimes spending entire days totally withdrawn, without speaking a word. One day, Juanito came to the priest for confession. He said, “Father, pray for me so that I can forgive the soldiers who killed my mother and brothers. I do not want to live with hatred in my heart.”

Juanito, it seems, was wise beyond his years. He somehow understood what hatred and bitterness could do to his soul.

When Jesus told us to forgive those who have wronged us, he did so for our own spiritual health – as much as for the sake of the world. On the cross, Jesus lived out his own teaching. He prayed, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

I wonder if there are people who you need to forgive…

Remember, forgiveness doesn’t mean condoning. Forgiveness is not necessarily forgetting. Forgiveness does not mean putting yourself back into a situation where they might hurt you again. But, forgiveness does mean letting go…. It has to do with the state of your own heart.

Whatever it is others have done to you, I pray that you would not let it consume your life. I pray that you will not let it define you or take your soul. Instead, may you ask God for the strength to forgive and let go.

Let us pray: God of Grace, we hand over to you this day, old wounds and debts, and people who have hurt or betrayed us. We do not want to live with hatred in our hearts. We want to be healthy and whole. We ask for your healing, and for the power to forgive others – as we have been forgiven in Christ. It is in his name we pray. Amen.

Yesterday I reflected on the power of giving. I continue that theme today as I think about a missionary we support, Bob Gamble, who is pouring out his life for street children in the Ukraine. Even with the war, even with his life in danger, something compels him…

I think about my friend, Pastor Lavern March who has dedicated part of her life to not only restoring a blighted neighborhood in West Augustine but also to building relationships across historic racial divides…

I think about those from my congregation who have joined her in this endeavor armed with stucco troughs and paint brushes and hammers. I think about others I know serving in an elementary school food pantry… others still preparing memorial service receptions and cooking Wednesday night dinners, and others making quilts for women who have been abused…

I think again about each of them, in their own ways, find great meaning and significance in their service. Like them, like many before me, and like many of you, I too have found this to be true.

I am ever reminded that we are created in the image of a giving God, a generous God, a God who in Christ invites us to follow him…

Maybe you are wondering: Where can I give, or where can I serve? There’s an old Swedish proverb: Those who wish to sing… always find a song!

Let us pray: Giving God, As we have received, so may we give. And in our giving, may we know your joy; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The word Grace comes from the Greek word Charis. In one of his Wednesday night classes on the Parables, our Parish Associate Pastor Bob Smith defined grace as God’s unmerited, un-discourageable love. I like that.

Other scholars tell us the word can be translated as joy, gift, pleasure, acceptance, favor, or favor done without any expectation of return.

Wow!

One of the most astonishing things about grace is that not only is it given to us completely unmerited, but also that God has taken the initiative to offer it to us.

Pastor Mark Trotter brought this home for me when he wrote:

“Have you ever noticed that in the service professions, those professions that are supposed to serve society, like medicine, law, religion, counseling, social work, that the professionals in all of those professions sit in offices, and people make appointments to come and see them.”

“But not God. God so loved the world he took the initiative to come to us in Jesus Christ. This means he is like the shepherd who seeks out the one who is lost and leaves the ninety-nine behind. Or, like the woman who sweeps out her house to find the lost coin. Or, like the father who goes down the road to embrace the child who was lost, but now is found.”

In his book, What’s So Amazing About Grace, Phillip Yancey wrote that he has found in Mozart’s Requiem a prayer which he now uses daily. It goes like this: “Remember, merciful Jesu, that I am the cause of your journey.”

May you know in the very deepest part of your being that you are the cause of Jesus’ journey. He comes with grace to you even now – offering acceptance, favor, unmerited and un-discourageable love.

Let us pray: Merciful and Loving God, we thank you for coming to us in Jesus and for your love that knows no bounds. As we receive this grace, may we ever be looking for ways to share it with a world desperately in need. Amen.

Many of you will be familiar with the Hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King.” It was written in the year 1225 by St. Francis of Assisi. Originally, this poetic masterpiece was titled, “Canticle of the Sun.” It was clearly inspired by Psalm 148.

Francis was almost completely blind at the time he wrote this, and worn frail by years of hard work. He would die almost one year later, but the words of the hymn give voice to a joy-filled soul.

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
O praise Him, Alleluia.
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Let us pray: We do praise you this day, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We join our hearts with the heart of your creation, and with the hearts of the faithful over many centuries as we give you all glory and honor, praise and thanksgiving. In spite of our circumstances here and now, we trust that you are faithful, that you provide, and that you are with us; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

In the book of Isaiah (25:1-9), we read these words:

On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples…

When I think about feasts, I can’t help but think about Thanksgiving. In our family, it has always been the tradition to gather the extended family. Over the past few years, we’ve hosted it at our house. We have turkey – and sometimes oysters. Everyone brings a dish.

Last year, before we gathered around the table on Thanksgiving Day – all 26 of us – even before giving thanks, we paused to consciously look around the circle to take in the faces and acknowledge the gift and the beauty of the moment. All of our lives so intricately intertwined at various points along the journey – the laughter and the tears over the decades – the conflict and the heartbreak and the love we’ve all shared.

And so we paused to acknowledge the gift of it all – the gift of each other – the gift of being in that place together. We pause because we never know how many more we’ll actually have.

A shared meal is more than just about food, isn’t it?

Today, before you sit down to eat with friends or family, I invite you too to pause. Consciously look around the table and take in the faces. Try to fully appreciate each person there. Appreciate the moment. Recall the way in which each individual has touched and blessed your life. Give thanks to God for the gift of the moment, for the gift of being together, and for the lives you’ve shared.

Let us pray: We have set this day aside, O God, to remember your bountiful provision, your goodness and grace. When our eyes and hearts are open, we can’t fail to notice your hand at work, your loving kindness, your presence and love. Today, we especially lift up people who are hungry, those who are without homes, and others who are far from loved ones. May they discover your compassion and mercy – even in the midst of difficult times. Out of gratitude, we return our hearts and our lives to you. Use us in the days and weeks ahead to bless others, and by so doing to bless you. Great is thy faithfulness, O God our Father. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto us! In Jesus’ name. Amen.