From the Rector ~ August 2024
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8
Dear Parish Family,
How can I make a difference? Where can I help? What resources can I offer when there is so much demonstrated need? Will any of it really matter?
Perhaps like me, you find yourself pondering such questions from time to time. With so much going on in the world, the nation and the community, our sense of personal agency to make a meaningful impact can easily feel diminished or even empty.
It’s too much! I can’t fix it!
How wonderful, then, that we have been given some beautiful and gentle reminders of the big picture in our Gospel readings this season.
More than once we have been shown nameless and seemingly unimportant human beings who - through Christ - have been a part of something miraculous. Several weeks ago we read about the woman who had been ill for years and years. Her demonstrated faith - in simply touching Jesus’ cloak, brought about her healing. This weekend we are introduced to a nameless boy in a huge crowd, who happens to have a seemingly insignificant amount of food (two fish and five loaves). Again, Jesus takes something small and works wonders - so much so that thousands are satisfied.
Yes, there is so much need in our broken world. We aren’t expected to fix everything. I do believe, though, that Christ calls upon us to bring the best of what we have, and the faithfulness of who we are - to him. In that offering he will do his wondrous work - one person and one day at a time.
Where to begin? I’ve always appreciated the simple phrase “Do the right thing.” I believe that is the spirit offered by the prophet Micah. We begin to bring our gifts to God’s handiwork by being just with our words and actions, offering kindness in every situation, and maintaining humility in all that we do.
Thank you for all the ways you demonstrate Christ’s love. You can be sure it does indeed make a difference.
Blessings,
The Rev. C. Phillip Craig, Jr.