The gospel for this coming Sunday has a pearl within it that informs our lives personally and as a community.
All of us get caught up in our everyday lives, and for many of us, the “work of the church”. Frankly getting caught up in the work of our everyday lives is understandable. It’s what our society asks us to do. But to take that same mindset to church is a mistake, and a big one.
We want to make sure the buildings are in great shape, the grounds are well maintained, and that coffee hour is covered along with the rest of the events during the church week. But it’s getting the cart ahead of the horse.
I will quote Jesus from this coming Sunday’s gospel. “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom God has sent.” God sent Jesus. Our work is to believe in Jesus and act like it. Everything else will be taken care of.
As a priest I have learned and relearned this simple lesson. God will take care of us. We only need to keep Jesus Christ in our midst and mindset. The buildings and grounds, the programs of the church, and everything else will prosper when we remember to keep Jesus as our focus. It’s always worked in my time as a priest and I expect it always will. See you Sunday.