From The Desk of Father Bob

Did you hear about the lady who came to church one Sunday with bandages on both of her ears? A friend asked her what on earth had happened to her. She embarrassingly told her: “Well I was ironing, and the phone rang, and silly me, I picked up the iron and put it to my ear!” The friend was shocked, and asked: “Well, what happened to your other ear?” The woman with the bandages replied: “Well, I had to call the doctor!”

How many of us are prone to making the same mistake twice? In fact, I would dare say that most of us are quite guilty of committing the same sin over and over again. Do you think it is because we are not sincere in our repentance? What is more important for us to know, is not our sinfulness, as much as it is our trust in our God who is always more ready to forgive than we are ready to quit sinning. Even though we may sin over and over again, God is always ready to forgive, over and over again. He does not limit our redemption. He has taught us to forgive 70 times 7 times… will He not do the same?

We are an Easter people, who live forgiveness. We live in God’s love and forgiveness, through Jesus on the cross, and at the open tomb, and the torn curtain in the Temple, and anything else that might try to separate us from that Love. We are not bound to an old life of sin, but a new life of boundless LOVE.

During this interim time at St. James, this subliminal time between rectors, perhaps it is a good time to leave past hurts or failures behind, and look to the present and the future. This is what being an Easter People is all about…daily living into the new life God is always offering us. Whether it is about coming back to church, or getting involved in one of the many ministries St. James has to offer… put down the iron and come on back, get involved. Sign up for one of our Sunday morning ministries (reading, serving, coffee host, usher). Simply show up for Respite Care, Pottery, Soups to Go. We need you, now more than ever! Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Bob +