Dear Friends
Mindful that he is a controversial figure,
which came to light again when he was under the microscope during his hurdle
filled path to sainthood, I like these words written by Fr. Junipero Serra. But I don’t
take them literally.
Life is to be lived forward (day by
day, of course!). We should adopt Paul’s mindset as he writes to the
Philippians (3:14), “Forgetting what lies behind, and straining forward to
what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the heavenly call of God in
Christ Jesus.”
But as I celebrate my 68th
birthday today, I cannot help but look back and give thanks for so many
wonderful memories, more than I could have ever imagined, more than I deserve.
And as I near the end of my first three years of retirement, my recent
memory book is overflowing. Who knew I would be blessed to continue to serve congregations
in Hawaii, Alaska and now Carmel Valley, California?
During this pandemic, I, and I suspect
others in their “seniorish” years, look back knowing that some opportunities and adventures
may no longer be possible, or at least will have to be postponed. I still
dream of a grand road trip across America to see things “one more time” and
discover and visit new sites. I hope to sing in a full church again someday. I want to drop in on my Dodgers during spring training and enjoy another Dodger Dog under the bright Arizona sun and skies.
We all must go forward; it is the best way
and direction to live. But it is okay to look in the rear view mirror once in a
while. It is okay if only for a quick glance, if only for a reminder that the
good Lord who brought all of us safely to May 25, 2020, is not going to
abandon us now or prevent us from enjoying different and surprising fresh blessings,
in the new world being created before our eyes.
John
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