St. John's Church, Honeoye Falls

Dear Friends,


In this Holy Week, our Bishop reminds us that faith is all about repentance, reliance and resilience. See http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=2413e25aba5d483fc15360169&id=117db857d3&e=b9ac3ba4c5)

Each year during Holy Week, clergy attend a Chrism Mass, in which we renew our ordination vows, and the Bishop blesses the oils that we use in baptism and in anointing of the sick.  We had this year's service at St. Michael's in Geneseo yesterday.

As I drove over for the service, I listened to NPR and was struck by the contrast in the news coverage.  First, of course, was the coverage of the Brussels bombings, and the chaos that ensued.  I prayed, as I know we all did, that further incidents would not ensue.  And I prayed for understanding of why, and how...and for forgiveness of those who would do such a thing.  We can not know what makes perpetrators believe that violence is an expression of faith; for truly the loving God who created us would never require us to hurt another in order to gain His approval.

As I mused on that, I also thought about the history making moment of President Obama's address to the Cuban people.  May the end of the Cold War truly be here, and may we begin to restore a once strong relationship with this culturally rich nation.

To me, the events in Cuba teach us about hope and resurrection, even as the moments in Brussels teach us about sin and repentance.  Through it all, we are a resilient people.  Therefore, I was so thrilled to hear that the planned Chrism Eucharist in Brussels went on as planned yesterday.  Knowing that our Anglican brothers and sisters were celebrating their vows and blessing their precious oils as a statement of continuity, and even of defiance, made me know that God's will supersedes humanity's injustices.  (For more about that service, see http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2016/03/22/brussels-pro-cathedrals-chrism-eucharist-held-as-an-act-of-defiance/)

Most gracious and holy God, you are the one constant that grounds us and restores us in all moments. Renew our hearts and strengthen our souls in these days of confusion and change.  Forgive us in our weakness and quell our violence. Help us to see your light surrounding us, even as we walk through haze and darkness, and the pangs of starting life anew.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.