FR. DAVID’S BLOG OF 10/30/2020 — Liturgy and music are so important to our life together. This week I wish to expand on what I said at our recent stewardship webinars.
The world in which we live is coming apart. We need only look around and see examples of this fracturing taking place: the devastating effects of COVID-19, police brutality towards black people (the latest example occurred in Philadelphia earlier this week), economic downturn, and the animus that is on full display during this political season which is blessedly almost at an end.
The last eight months have seen a great deal of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty that has had a negative impact in our personal lives as well as our common life as a faith community. It is difficult to be a follower of Jesus Christ at times like these, but it is times like these when the world needs to hear a message of hope and love even when it is difficult to hear and to follow.
At the second webinar on Tuesday, October 20, I shared my belief that it is important that our lives be grounded in the weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist and daily prayer. I realize the first is difficult at the moment because we are not worshipping in person, but we can still participate online as tempting as it is not to do so. Even though we cannot be together, the weekly celebration of the Eucharist can still nurture us and strengthen us for the week. We are also sustained daily by saying the daily office of morning and evening prayer found in the Book of Common Prayer (which can be found on-line).
Using Facebook, we are offering prayer mornings and evenings, Tuesday through Friday. The Eucharist and daily prayer helps center us to live as disciples of Jesus in these difficult times. The reading of the lessons and the recitation of the psalms invites us into a deeper relationship with God and to know that we are not alone. By being a community at prayer I truly believe we can overcome the stress and anxiety we are experiencing at the moment.
The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew is known for its transformative and inspirational worship that nurtures and feeds the soul that strengthens us to go into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit as well as to be the hands and the eyes of a loving God as we witness to God’s love out in the world. This has been difficult to do the last eight months and my hope is that we will soon be able to offer live streaming Sunday Eucharist that will return in a small way the power of worship at SsAM that so many people have missed.
Peace,
Fr. David+, OA
