You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope.
– Thomas Merton
These words of Thomas Merton have fed me deeply during this past year as we often wonder what is happening and where it is all going. We have faced so much together during this pandemic and time of such sharp division in our nation. I have attempted to embrace this time with “courage, faith, and hope.”
During the last 10 months, Javier and I have been offering weekly reflections called Hope for the Journey. Our goal is to offer our thoughts and reflections as we walk through this time together—a sharing of what perhaps is feeding us in our journey of faith.
I want to let you know something. One of my greatest sources of hope during these last 10 months has been you, the folks of St. Paul’s. I am continually lifted up by the amazing creative response you have exemplified during this time. In the beginning of this pandemic, I found the words of Bishop Rob Wright, bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta, to be so helpful. Often, you have heard me quote him, saying “The church does not close, it adapts.”
Your willingness to adapt and support what we do in new and creative ways, your support of the new ways of being together and new ways of serving our community and wider world have been inspiring to me. You fill me with hope.
This week’s Hope For The Journey is to thank you. I hope that you too are finding courage, faith and hope in your journey of faith with all of us at St. Paul’s.
– Fr. George
