Can't remember the day? Remember what centres us.

Wait -- what day is it? Are the days running together for you? They kind of are for me. Thankfully, the calendar reminds me that we are about to enter Holy week.

Christ’s Passion, death, and resurrection is the centre of our lives of faith and of everything St. Philip's Lutheran Church is and does. Everyone whom we serve or host; all whom we welcome, our lay leaders, the members of our choir, and our entire staff and volunteers know the importance of what we do on Palm Sunday and in Holy Week and on Easter Sunday.

This year, as we all practice social distancing in our homes apart from one another physically, we will continue to support each other and join together virtually. 

Together – Apart: Let’s Stay Connected

The coronavirus has turned our lives upside down. Stress, anxiety, and fear are being felt in homes across Canada and around the world.

Coronavirus is a real threat. We are asked to maintain physical distance to control the spread of the virus. But there is a danger in  distancing. It can lead to isolation which can lead to despair. It is important to stay connected: joining worship online, attending Bible study on Zoom, making phone calls, sending text messages and emails, and praying for each other.

Apostle Paul's words have special significance for us in this time of COVID-19:

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair....struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies" (2 Corinthians 4: 8-10).

Even in this time of being afflicted, perplexed, and struck down, we can continue to trust in the Lord of steadfast love and faithfulness.

The coronavirus does not have to crush us, drive us to despair, or destroy us, because God is always working to heal us, help us, and work for our well-being. Even in the time of physical distancing, we can continue to worship God and serve our neighbours because Jesus has promised to be with us, to work through us, and to never let us go.

Fear or Faith… which are you feeding?

I’m sure you’ve heard the story of the two dogs, or two wolves.  It’s told in many ways.  Here’s one version that is said to be a Native American Proverb:

A tribal elder is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he says to the boy.  "It is a terrible fight and it is between two dogs. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego."

He continues, "The other dog is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asks his grandfather, "Which dog will win?"

The elder simply replies, "The one you feed."

Today, and in the days ahead, as things get worse before they get better, we have a choice:  do we feed FEAR or FAITH?  Which dog will you feed?

Sunday’s Gospel reading is about Jesus walking on water, and Peter leaving the boat to try to do the same.  Again, a story of fear and faith.  Listen on Sunday to hear Pastor Tuula’s reflection on the story and what we are living through.

The days may be long and harder than we are accustomed to, but we have a choice.  Feed Faith!

We live in hope!

Today's second lesson was from Romans 5.  During these anxious days as a virus is spreading rapidly, these words remind us that we are a people who live in hope:

¹Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. ³And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5: 1 - 5)

And as Pastor Tuula reminded us in her sermon today:  God is with us.

What is important in life?

We are in the season of Lent, forty days of reflection and repentance that lead to Easter.  Lent is the season to discern what is important in life, and begin the hard work of finding home, not in the outward trappings of life that we work so hard to build…but in God. 

To help you in your discernment, I would like to share a story: 

A man traveled from America to visit the great Rabbi Israel Kagan in Poland.  The man made the pilgrimage to meet the great thinker, and he was excited as, finally after a long journey, he knocked on Rabbi Kagan’s door and was greeted by an elderly, stooped gentleman who asked him to enter.  The man entered the house and looked around, a bit stunned.  The rabbi’s house was totally empty, bare of furniture as if no one lived there. The room contained only the very basic spare furnishings: one table, two chairs, a bookcase, and a bed.

This was the home of a famous rabbi, so the man was confused.  “Rabbi, may I ask a question?” said the man.  “I don’t notice much of anything here in your home.  Where are your things? Have you fallen on hard times?”

The rabbi turned to the visitor.  “And may I ask you a question, young man?

“Certainly,” came the reply.

“Where is all your furniture?”

“I have an oak dining room table, and a beautiful bedroom set all at my house in New York,” said the man.  "Do tourists generally take such possessions along in a moving van? I’m just passing through!”  

The rabbi gave his guest a gentle smile.  “As for this world I, too, am just passing through,” said Kagan. 
“Then again, aren’t we all?”