July 29, 2021
I will, with God’s help!
My Dear Doubters of Great Faith,
I cannot imagine that there are five more important words contained anywhere in our beloved Book of Common Prayer than these five, “I will, with God’s help,” our response to the five life-changing, identity-altering questions of the baptismal covenant. For it is, after all, the baptismal covenant, that shapes and guides how we live out our Christian faith, responding to the broken and hurting world in which we find ourselves. I am beginning to realize that there is very little, if any, of this that I can do without God’s help!
I have to be honest that this week’s update from the CDC regarding the on-going, continuing state of the COVID-19 pandemic has me in a bit of a funk. I really had hoped we had turned a corner, that more of this crisis was in the rear-view mirror, that life might be returning to something resembling normal. It felt almost safe to “breathe” again. In short, it felt so incredibly wonderful to exhale, and to begin to dream some of the dreams that I was dreaming for myself and for us, a lifetime ago, in February of 2020.
And then to receive word from the CDC that masks are again advised for all people, vaccinated as well as unvaccinated, in all indoor spaces, just seems like such a step back. It feels unfair, especially for those of us who have “done the right thing,” and gotten our vaccinations, and worn our masks, and taken all the advised precautions. Why are we paying the price for all those who refuse to do what is right, because it is their “right,” not to do what is right, and consider the health and well-being of others?
“Will I seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving my neighbor as myself,” seems to come into direct conflict with striving for justice and peace among all people. If ever I needed God’s help to fulfill my vows (and I’m thinking you might as well), now is the time!
Are we expected to be spiritual “super-heroes” in the midst of pandemic? Are we always going to get it right? Or is it ok to say, “I will (face this, doing what I can do) with God’s help?”
Last week I announced that we would be returning to the chalice this Sunday, August 1, for anyone who would like to partake of the common cup. In light of the latest updates from the CDC, I no longer feel this is prudent. Additionally, I STRONGLY SUGGEST that those who choose to attend the in-person worship service adhere to the CDC guideline that ALL people should now mask indoors (vaccinated as well as unvaccinated). While I feel that many (if not all) of our parishioners are vaccinated, we have no way of knowing if visitors are or are not vaccinated, and we simply cannot and should not risk the lives of others.
I realize that this may be upsetting to many, who, like myself, were feeling that great exhale of normalcy. What do we do with all these feelings of frustration, and continual, ongoing grief for the loss that we mourn?
We must keep looking at life through the lens of our baptismal covenant. The very first petition (“Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?”) tells us where we find the sustenance to do this – in our community of St. Thomas the Apostle! In worship, in this community, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers with those we love, we will find the strength to endure even this.
Folks, now is the time to be in Church, with your community. I cannot make this any plainer. Whether you worship on Zoom or in person, your presence, each one of our presence is the bringing together of the Holy Spirit that will give us the strength and the courage to get through this nightmare. We cannot do this alone. You need to be in Church, with your Church family, week in and week out. This is not about parochial report numbers or budgets. This is about surviving a pandemic together.
I cannot do this “Christ-thing” without God, and I cannot do this “Christ-thing” without you.
I will, with your help!
Fr. Christopher+
