There are powerful forces intent on separating us from our true selves and from each other. These "forces" come in the form of a constant stream of messages and imagery- on our televisions, in our newspapers, magazines, outdoor billboards, web browsers and now phones. All with messages that are devised to create or meet an unmet, unfulfilled, deep psychological need that what we have, what we are, is not enough. We need more, we need to be more, to strive for more, to buy more-more, specifically if "more" is new and better. These messages create in us anxiety, fear, and depression (clinical or not) that what we have and are, is not enough and that we need to protect what we have from others.
There are two cures for this cultural neurosis- one is worship, because in worship, in community, we leave our fears, and our overstimulated selves behind and become present to the one who made us, and loves us for who and what we are....no strings attached. The other is to develop and live in a posture of gratitude. To appreciate all that we have, much, most, and at times all of which we take for granted.-"little things"...electricity, running water, food in our pantries, the ability to stand in the morning without assistance and to string a coherent thought or thoughts together in a sentence. Giving thanks for these "little things" allows us to rise above the din of noise and messages that surround us tell us otherwise.
Out of this gratitude, out of our often taken for granted abundance is The Church. Our Church, not just St. Luke's, but the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, as well as The National Episcopal Church all of which are working to meet the call of God's mission on Earth, Jesus's call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick and give encouragement and hope to all who seek it.
We, in this parish have been blessed. Blessed by not only the physical church that we have worshiped in for over forty years, but blessed to be able to afford full time Rector(s) something that increasingly fewer parishes on the South Shore are able to do. Most of all, we have been blessed by the presence of each other, those here now, those who came before us, and those who will worship as The Body Of Christ in the future. Let us give in thanksgiving, in gratitude for all our blessings.
Behold what you are......let us become what we receive.
