All over the news is Pope Francis and his visit to the United States. What will he say, what ramifications for our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ? Pope Clement said in the first century, “If we review the various ages of history, we will see that in every generation the Lord has offered the opportunity of repentance to any who were willing to turn to him… Jonah told the Ninevites they were going to be destroyed, but when the repented, their prayers gained God’s forgiveness for their sins, and they were saved, even though they were not of God’s people. We should be suppliant before him and turn to his compassion, rejecting empty works and quarreling and jealousy, which only lead to death.”

With so many friends, neighbors, and co-workers taking a moment to watch the media about the Pope and his visit this is a wonderful opportunity for you. How? To talk about your own journey, to share with friends and neighbors how you have walked the path of salvation. Don’t miss these God-given seconds to share a moment of hope. Someone’s life could be changed by the Popes’ visit.

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We’ve had several parishioners in the hospital. Praise God the number has decreased. Today I was in one more waiting room, yes waiting, to see if I could come in for a visit. But it wasn’t possible so as I hung up the phone a young man sitting there asked, “Would you pray with me?”

As we sat together, him talking about his wife. How she was going through critical surgery and he just didn’t know where to turn. An older woman walked over and asked, “Will you pray with me too?” There we sat lifting lives up to our Savior. With bowed heads we gave to God our fear, loss, irritation, and anger. We didn’t pray for changed circumstances but we did ask for power to walk through the circumstances. As we finished I looked up and one of the nurses had stopped and was praying as well. Together we said “amen”.

Now I’ll be honest I had been a little frustrated. Had came to visit someone specifically but was denied. Why? Obviously because God wanted to provide a word of comfort, and to bring some blessed peace to another. Ignatius of Loyola once said, “Flock together, all of you, as to one temple of God, as to one altar, to one Jesus Christ.”

I don’t know what you are facing today. But I do know this…get with your brothers and sisters in Christ so you can have the power and the presence of the Living Savior in your life. Why? So you don’t have to go through this alone. You are in my prayers and I will see you on the path.

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Today we remember the firefighters, the policemen, the mothers, the fathers and the grandparents all now gone. We remember those who did their duty until the towers came down. We remember those who waited for help that never came. We remember those who gave blood, who gave time, who lifted up prayers to help the survivors and their families.

I have been told that remembering can only truly take place if we have a deep and personal relationship with another. Let that be so as we remember 9/11. May we grasp in some small way the pain of loss, the personal affliction of those left behind. May today be a sacred moment where we lift our heads, and our hands in prayer.

Dear God, uphold those who grieve today. Uphold those who weep at the memory of a lost one. By Your Holy Spirit grant this nation and her people peace so we might comfort those who mourn and that we might strive toward peace. Bless this nation and her leaders so that one day there will be nor more days like 9/11.

Prince of Peace hear our cry and our plea.

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This past Sunday several people asked me if I was going to a wedding. When I responded that I hadn’t received an invitation they were shocked. The universal comment was, “But you are the pastor you should have received an invite.” Yes there may be some cultural and social truth to such a view but lets be honest. Years have passed and I’m sure the couple has a new shepherd by now. Plus not everyone gets invited to everything.

Yet that’s not true is it? God invites each and everyone of us to the wedding feast. To be included in His Kingdom. BUT not everyone responds. Contemporary author Brennan Manning, who often writes from the edge, states this, “The outstretched arms of Jesus exclude no one, not the drunk in the doorway, the panhandler on the street…the most selfish and ungrateful in their cocoons, the most unjust of employers and the most overweening of snobs. The love of Christ embraces all without exception.” But you do have to accept the invitation.

Holy God, there is always room for one more at the banquet. We pray to live in such a way that each person we meet knows they are welcome among your people. We welcome you as we welcome others this day. Amen.

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All this week I’ve been collecting stats and information for specific grants regarding our Matthew 25 project and some medical mission needs. I’m also spending quite a lot of time on an adaptive change team I want to get started here at our church. Why?

Well I’ve given the fellowship a time line for the next five years which includes me moving on in the near future. Our church is 131 years old, I’m not getting any younger, and I want to make sure they have an opportunity to struggle with changing culture, staff requirements, decreased giving, and most of all where God seems to be leading our fellowship in regards to service. But I also really want them to celebrate the blessings of the past and at the same time rejoice in the possibilities before my pilgrimage takes me to other opportunities of ministry.

Plus…in the middle of all this planning and thinking are some really exciting opportunities for global missions with our partners in Myanmar and Thailand. I don’t want the fellowship to miss any of this because if they do…I know God will bless the work somehow…but perhaps without us. I’ve always kept in mind a statement made by Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “The church’s task is not simply to bind the wounds of the victim beneath the wheel, but also to put a spoke in the wheel itself.”

Point? We have not been called to sit, vegetate and then go to heaven. We are citizens of the Kingdom of God now! We are to bring the Good News today! Get on the path today!

Dear Father, use us to heal not only broken people but broken systems of thought. Please keep us from doing things just because that’s the “way they have always been done.” Provide us with the skills, and the resources and the wisdom and foresight to bring change in this our time. May our lives disturb injustice powered by your grace. Save us by the power of your cross. Amen.

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Today is my oldest daughter’s wedding anniversary. Fifteen years! Wow a lot has happened during that time span. Loss, joy, new jobs, a baby girl (our first grandchild), and through it all they have been active in the church serving and sharing and her husband, Jeran, has put up with a preacher for father-in-law. Let me tell you that is a burden to bear. Being thrown into church life and expectations of serving and going when that is not something you really thought would be part of your life. Thanks Jeran you do a lot even when not asked!

So just a moment for prayer: Dear Father, today I ask for your blessings upon this couple. I give thanks for their lives and the many joys they have brought to our family. May our Savior grant them joy! May He deepen your love for each other. May He bless you and give you peace for many anniversaries to come. May Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Bless us all, And keep us in His love for ever and ever.
Amen.