Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Life is changed, not ended




Dear Friends

“Life is changed, not ended”

That phrase from our prayer book memorial service, refers to our mortality, the death we will all face, and the resurrection we embrace and celebrate as Christians.

But right now, I use it in terms of our immediate future---life is changed right now, but it is not ended! Our whole life is filled with little and big “deaths” and “resurrections”, little and big changes that lead to new ways of living this wonderful gift of life.  What’s different, for now, is that we are all experiencing a time of HUGE CHANGE and NEW KIND OF LIFE at the same time. Of course, the impact is and will be far greater for some, but we’re all connected.

We don’t know exactly for how long, or what lasting changes may come, but life will continue. In the meantime, let us ask God for wisdom, courage, patience and peace to calm our hearts and minds. 

And on this Happy St. Patrick’s Day, let us pray some of the words from his great hymn:

I bind unto myself today, the power of God to hold and lead
His eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to hearken to my need
The wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward
The word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard

Christ beneath me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me
Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me

Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend in stranger

May the peace of Christ be with you and prevail!

John

Picture is from Carmel Mission grounds where spring has sprung!



John

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