November 18, 2007
Pentecost 25

Big Endings

I believe it does us well to pay attention to what scripture has to say about the end, not just so we might be equipped to face the ending and the glorious new beginning, whenever it might occur, but so we might be equipped as well for those endings in our daily lives, those times when our personal and private worlds are shaken to the core, those times when the walls of the temples in our lives: the temples in which we place our confidence and our hope, our safety and of pride, come tumbling down. And it will surely happen, my friends.

All of us have experienced big endings in our lives; through our bereavement, especially bereaved by the loss of a partner or a son or a daughter, mother or father, those who have gone through a divorce, those who have lost a job that was part of their vocation. The world as we have known it comes to an end. Those things, those people, those events we have relied upon, trusted in, believed in are either gone or they have turned against you.

Such times are tests of our faith. Such times are a test of our God, such times are a time of great need in our lives. Jesus says; do not worry about these times. Don't spend a lot of time thinking up grand defenses or wonderful ways in which to fight those who are tormenting you, rather trust God to give you the answers you need, even when brothers and sisters turn on you. Rely on God for the words and the wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. Rely on God to bring you safely through the times of testing and tribulation; the God who promises that not a hair of our heads will perish, but by our endurance, by our faith, we will gain our souls.

Silito

Take a look at some of the previous messages from the Rector