the church of the
ascension
in the city of
new york
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thursday, March 19
Psalm 85 / Romans 5:12-21 / John 8:21-32
"Now is the winter of our discontent." The Bard's words are clearly out of context, and yet they seem to express a collective sentiment gripping our city and the wider world. Anxiety pervades our collective psyche, and I find myself looking for signs of relief, particularly for those around me who have suffered from our current economic crisis.
I think it no accident that I experienced something of a shock when from the pulpit Fr. Mark explained that God's plan for us most likely is not seventy-five or eighty years of pain-free life. Of course it isn't, but that reality usually remains hidden, just out of reach. It's easier to think happy thoughts, that better days are just around the corner.
As I watched the 60 Minutes article regarding the US Airways crash in the Hudson, I was moved by the simple, very human words of the pilot, his crew and family in describing the incident and its aftermath. It was humble and hopeful, but more than that, it reminded me of some other words from Fr. Mark, that God is always here to help make us brave. Brave to face down the small injustices and the larger crisis of life, brave to show love unconditionally to everyone who crosses our path, brave to strive to give of ourselves unstintingly, and brave to answer God's call when we hear it.
If there is a message for these times, it is that the love of God, as perfectly expressed in the person of Jesus Christ, will anchor us through the storms of life and keep us humble and grateful in the times of plenty and triumph. The knowledge of God's love will truly set us free to be his beloved children and witnesses to his grace. And as our troubled, tempestuous, pain-filled lives draw to a close, may he grant us a perfect end.
— David Cholcher
"Now is the winter of our discontent." The Bard's words are clearly out of context, and yet they seem to express a collective sentiment gripping our city and the wider world. Anxiety pervades our collective psyche, and I find myself looking for signs of relief, particularly for those around me who have suffered from our current economic crisis.
I think it no accident that I experienced something of a shock when from the pulpit Fr. Mark explained that God's plan for us most likely is not seventy-five or eighty years of pain-free life. Of course it isn't, but that reality usually remains hidden, just out of reach. It's easier to think happy thoughts, that better days are just around the corner.
As I watched the 60 Minutes article regarding the US Airways crash in the Hudson, I was moved by the simple, very human words of the pilot, his crew and family in describing the incident and its aftermath. It was humble and hopeful, but more than that, it reminded me of some other words from Fr. Mark, that God is always here to help make us brave. Brave to face down the small injustices and the larger crisis of life, brave to show love unconditionally to everyone who crosses our path, brave to strive to give of ourselves unstintingly, and brave to answer God's call when we hear it.
If there is a message for these times, it is that the love of God, as perfectly expressed in the person of Jesus Christ, will anchor us through the storms of life and keep us humble and grateful in the times of plenty and triumph. The knowledge of God's love will truly set us free to be his beloved children and witnesses to his grace. And as our troubled, tempestuous, pain-filled lives draw to a close, may he grant us a perfect end.
— David Cholcher
