05/01/2021
Fourth Sunday after Easter, May 2nd, 2021
On Thursday of this week I came home late from my job as a counselor where I work only to find out the news that the bishop of our diocese had passed away. His Grace, The Rt. Rev'd Stephen Strawn was a wonderful man. One of the finest bishops I have ever had the pleasure to know. A very humble man who was down to earth and very approachable. He loved his family, and his parishioners, and his diocese. When it came to Christian unity, he didn't just talk about it, he worked for it. He saw the need for unity among Anglicans and he worked towards bringing Anglicans to recognize just what they have in common and to live out that unity. Focus on what you have in common with one another instead of focusing on what differences you have. "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us:" (St. John 17:21) He will be sorely missed by all those who were touched by his life. Family will gather from far and near and say goodbye to this beloved husband, father, grandfather, priest, bishop, and dear friend. They will be sad and distraught but I imagine they will find the good things to talk about as well: the good memories, the good times spent together, the love and laughter, the love they felt.
When Our Blessed Lord spoke of His going away. He took note of the sorrow that the disciples displayed when He spoke of going away. "But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart." (St. John 16:6) But Our Blessed Saviour went on to explain that He must leave for the Holy Ghost to come and be with them. God is with us in the good times and the bad. So often we do not realize that. When times are good and things are going well, do we make time for God? Do we think of God or are we too busy enjoying the good life? On the other hand, when things are going wrong, are we too busy feeling sorry for ourselves, feeling sorry for situation? Are we so busy throwing the proverbial "pity party" for ourselves that we don't think of God? The Good Lord is with us day in and day out. He is with us in the good times and the bad. Quite frankly, so often we fail to notice God because we are too "wrapped up in ourselves." We are so concerned with "us" that we do not take the time to notice God. God loves us so much that He not only sent His Only Son into the world to save us from our sins, He sent the Comforter, the Holy Ghost to be with us as well.
God is always with us. Do your best to always be with Him. He will never fail us. Do your fest to never fail Him.
PLEASE NOTE: St. Margaret Church will NOT meet on Sunday, May 2nd, 2021.
St. Margaret Church is still being affected, as is the whole world, by the Coronavirus outbreak. Specifically, our church is not allowed to meet as we would like due to CDC and State recommendations. But despite these recommendations, our members still continue to pray to Our Heavenly Father. Our members still continue to reach out to their neighbors and loved ones. Our members still continue to be the face and hands and instruments of the Lord throughout these troubling times. Additionally, Fr. Todd also continues to post his sermons and reflections online. So, please continue to pray for St. Margaret Church and all the Christian Churches throughout the world that we may continue to stay close to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
And please remember that you can still show support to St. Margaret Church by sharing these posts on social media . . . sharing the sermons and reflections of Fr. Todd on social media as well. In this way, despite any sort of "lock-down," you will help St. Margaret Church continue to spread the Gospel and continue to tell the world about our love for Our Blessed Saviour!
