FROM THE RECTOR – October 30, 2020

To the Community of Saint Paul’s Church,

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

By this point many of us have already voted, but the prayer offered here reminds us that in all we say and all we do we are empowered by our belief in Jesus; the same Jesus who taught us that in loving our neighbor we are loving God, and by serving as Jesus served we are following him.

We don’t know the outcome of the election. What we do know is that no matter the outcome we continue as faithful followers of the Prince of Peace. We know that the example we set in respecting the dignity of every human being speaks to our hope that the transforming love of Jesus himself will infect the hearts and minds of all.

This Sunday we celebrate All Saints’ Day. We celebrate the Saints who have gone before and are with us now. What I do know is that the vanities of opinions and causes that they served may be different than mine, but that we are united with God and with one another in the Communion we share. We are, in our uniqueness, each made in the image of God. There is nothing that binds us together more than this.

Remembering and giving thanks for all the Saints lets us hold fast to our belief that we are working together with them to fulfill God’s purpose.

Go forth into this world in peace, for that is something tangible we can offer.

Be of good courage, hold fast to what is good, for it is in the strength of Jesus that we have courage to strive for his purpose.

Render to no one evil for evil, for we are taught to return evil with good.

Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the afflicted, honor all persons, for it is in so doing that we both serve God and transform the world.

Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit, for it is in God’s love that we find power to proclaim God’s hope and healing to a broken world.

May the blessing of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with us, God’s saint in heaven and on earth, this day and forever. Amen.

George