7 January, 2015. It's the day after Epiphany; the church Calendar turns green again; the solemn celebrations of the holy season are past; the parties and vacations are over. We are back to ordinary life again which may be a relief or could feel like survival by putting one foot in front of the other. There is an exception in the ordinary church calendar, The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord this coming Sunday. I'll look forward to Fr. Mark speaking about the feast on that day.

So now let's look at Baptism and our own lives. Years ago I thought the evidence of our own baptism would be reflected in notable instances of service we do for God and the Church, significant peaks, even sometimes courageous ones, in our journeys. There may be some truth seeing it that way.

Now I see our Baptism silently holding each of us together on  the ordinary days and in the difficult days when we are just putting one foot in front of the other. I understood this, long after the fact, when I looked  back again at my several years after finishing college; that included two years in the United States Army as a draftee private. In all those two years I attended the Holy Eucharist at the most three times, and about twice attending other worship. It was not a crisis of faith, but a crisis of faithfulness. It was not doubt about what I had believed before, but more spiritual laziness. After having what we thought were great times in various lounges or bars just outside the gates of Fort Huachuca, Arizona, my colleagues and I usually returned about midnight. It amazes me now that I managed climbing onto my upper bunk. I rarely prayed; I remember just few nights when somehow I was  barely attentive enough for a few very brief moments of prayer before dozing off.

After the Army I came back to Rhode Island and gradually came to myself. Years later I understood my mother, my godmother, and some old ladies at St. Martin's had been praying for me while I was away.

Here's wishing you some good ordinary days!

Larry

Our Hearts are Open.

St Martin's is a wonderful, generous parish.  
 

Many thanks to each and every person who consolidated, typed, punched and labeled hearts, shopped, donated a gift(s) or a check, carried a bag, packed, delivered, prayed for our project, or offered words of encouragement.  

Our hearts are truly open and you proved it!  We warmed the hearts of many children in DCYF care this Christmas.  Please continue to remember these youngest and neediest among us in your prayers.         
          

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We can build this living tapestry here at St. Martin's. 
God is the weaver and we are all the threads.