A word from the Rector: Help?

Who can do it?

Job 38 (interpretation by Rev. Alex Wilson)

Friends,

Who can do it? A question of a strange sort to start our conversation with this week. Strange because it's hard to know what the question pertains to. What is it we are doing? Who is the doer? It is really confusing, but then again, sometimes so is scripture.

Job is a great example of this, a book we’ve been reading through on sundays. Job, often known as an exemplar of patience, is not so patient- rather- is persistent. Persistent in his questioning of why he has suffered so undeservedly. Its always the case, isn't it, that when life is good God is amazing. But when life isn't good, God is at fault. Job holds God to account.

But why is this important? It's important because in the section we read this Sunday, chapter 38, we hear of the revelation through a whirlwind. God, in scripture, so often comes in a whirlwind, from the clouds- meaning, in a discombobulating way.

This is important because so often in life and faith we think it's all about a straight line, and yet so often the life of the Spirit is a consistent zig zag. A zig zag which can become discombobulating , only when we don't anchor ourselves.

We anchor ourselves in prayer. Prayer that so often, like it did for Job, shows us just how central God is to our world and lives. It's only for these reasons that I believe we as a parish exist to build community in order to see God in all things, because of how all things show us God in return.

An awareness, a centering, a purpose, which invites us to grow not linearly but fluidly by noticing where God is already in the world together. A noticing that asks us to build community together with whomever we find there.

A building we begin every Sunday as we gather for Eucharist. A moment which shows us again and again that God can do anything, when we let Him.

Bring a friend this sunday, the party starts at 10 am. There's room for all here!

Alex+