Thursday, October 20

Deacon Gary Gannon

These days my theological compass seems to be pointing frequently to writings in the Old Testament (OT). I am also presently immersed in the wonder of engaging with several parish members in a weekly face-to-face gathering for Morning Prayer on Wednesdays. Thus, when I looked at the lectionary for October 20, I reflected on Psalm 37: 1-8, part of that morning’s prayer liturgy.

It is said that the psalms make public much of the inner life of the community of early Israel – some being communal acts of praise or petition, others intended to reveal personal pain, fears, delights and hopes. It has also been said that the psalms, some written as early as 1000 BCE, present a rich cross section of speech to and about God – and perhaps most importantly reflect the conviction that God is one to whom all can speak. This OT wisdom book can provide us with a context for both understanding and faithfulness.

My suggestion to you is that you open your Bible to this reading and go over the verses a few times. Psalm 37 has been titled an exhortation or call to patience and trust. These are two important virtues that are challenging to many in today’s world. The verses also display a counterpoint between those who are wrongdoers and others who trust and take delight in God. I encourage you to consider what particular word or phrase catches your attention?  What is God saying to you about what is currently going on in your life, or in the world around you?

What strikes me about this passage is that it offers some refreshing advice to counter the personal or communal challenges one may face in these turbulent times of fear, anger and uncertainty. You and I are encouraged not to fret or be envious. You and I are invited to trust and delight in God. We are called on to commit ourselves to the LORD and trust in Him. Keeping in mind the portion of this psalm is included as part of morning prayer, you and I are also encouraged to be still before God and to wait for him.

Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible, Wil Gafney offers important advice to us when reading and reflecting on Psalm 37. She writes, “It is important to remember that this psalm is a devotional text, reflecting on the world through the eyes of faith. It is not a formula for how to get what you want out of life. Psalm 37 is an inspirational psalm whose simple message is that faithfulness will yield the rewards of a life well-lived.”

Let us today and the next, trust and commit ourselves to a life of faith in God.

 

Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us your gift of faith,

that forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to what is before,

we may run the way of your commandments

and win the crown of everlasting joy;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen

From: The Book of Alternative Services. The Anglican Church of Canada. p. 387.

October 6, 2022

by Jacky Bramma

COINCIDENCES?

It never fails to amaze me how seemingly “coincidental” encounters with people turn out to be anything but random, and in retrospect I can clearly God’s hand at work.

Quite recently, for example, Sheila Robson and I were tending the garden as usual one Saturday morning, when a woman who happened to be walking by started chatting. After admiring the bounty of the garden, she suddenly asked, “Do you give out Bibles?” She explained that both she and her son, who has mental health problems, wanted one. We were delighted to be able to give her a couple of the Bibles from the board room and invited her and her son to come to church for the “Welcome” service and barbecue on September 18. Whether or not they came, I don’t know, but it was a blessing just to be able to give the invitation. I look upon this as an instance of “reverse evangelism”: all we had to do was be there ready to respond. There was no need for us to go looking because she found us. This was only possible because we happened to be in the garden just at the right time, and because the harvest was plentiful. Coincidence? I don’t believe it was.

I often notice this most keenly when I am away from home and travelling alone. Shortly after my husband died, I was on a flight to Vancouver to visit my sister (oh, how simple it was in those pre-Covid days!) and happened to see a copy of The Shack, which we had just done a study on at All Saints’, in my seat mate’s bag. This was the starting point of a delightful conversation about our faith, and I couldn’t believe how quickly the time passed. We parted at the terminal, knowing we would never see each other again, but all the richer for the six hours we had spent chatting.

On another journey, I had time between flights at Gatwick airport and decided to find the chapel. I happened to get there just as a short service was about to start, led by a Salvation Army chaplain. There was one other person there, a young man who was also waiting for his flight. After the service we sat and shared our stories, then parted company to continue our journeys. In addition to being a lovely way to pass the time, I realized afterwards that God was reassuring me of his presence even, or perhaps especially, when I am in unfamiliar surroundings. Often when I am away from home and my church family, I feel disconnected, and yearn to make connections with other Christians.

More recently when on a holiday in the UK, I was really feeling the need for Christian connection and quite by chance, a man who had just moved to the town, joined a small group of us who were taking a walking tour of Minehead in Somerset. Once again, we struck up a meaningful conversation, and I received the “top up” I needed. This time he invited me to his church. By that time, I would have left for our next destination, but I appreciated the invitation.

These are but a few of the many instances where God has placed people in my path, and I am sure that my experience is not unique. I am so thankful for these “glimpses of God”, which remind me how much he loves me and cares for me. That certainly is no coincidence!

Look at me and help me! I’m all alone.  (Psalm 26:16, The Message)

Feeling Alone, a prayer card from Exeter Cathedral  (explorechristianity.info)
GOD, I AM FEELING VERY ALONE RIGHT NOW.
EVEN WHEN PEOPLE ARE AROUND ME.
SOMETIMES I FEEL AFRAID.
SOMETIMES I FEEL WORTHLESS.
PLEASE HELP ME TO KNOW I MATTER TO YOU.
HELP ME TO FEEL YOU NEAR ME.
SHOW ME HOW TO CONNECT MORE DEEPLY WITH OTHERS,
AND FIND NEW COMFORT AND HOPE.  Amen