January 1, 2025  – the Eighth day of Christmas

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10

One of my favorite parts of our worship Mass comes in the corporate confession, absolution, and then sharing of the peace. That special time invites G-d to heal our guilty hearts and minds. But I am not so sure that we use it appropriately most of the time. Many times, the sharing of the peace is a time to catch up on lunch plans, saying hello to those we have not seen in a while, and complaining how long the sermon was. And those uses are okay – except for the complaining about the sermon part 😊.

Everyone has a hard time letting go of the memories of someone hurting our feelings or treating us poorly. And often we do not have the opportunity to directly address the ones we have hurt or been hurt by. When we bring our difficult memories and feelings to G-d’s heart and to our minds, it should remind us to pray for forgiveness, and to offer the same to our neighbors.

Exchanging the peace can be the best opportunity we have to practice love with a refreshed confidence in G-d’s grace and goodness toward all of us.

What does asking for forgiveness mean to you? What do you think asking for forgiveness means to G-d? Is there someone you need to ask to forgive you? Find a way to connect with that person and do what you can to make the situation right. Commit your conversation to G-d, and pray for the right words to speak, and a soft heart to listen.

Pastor Dave

December 31, 2024 – New Year’s Eve and Seventh Day of Christmas

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.  When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart,  I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

If you are like me, sometimes you ask yourself, “Am I doing what God wants me to do?” I struggled with deciding to go to Seminary for many years – almost ten – wondering if this was my will or the will of G-d. Maybe you wonder about whether your career is the right one for you, or if you are being called to take a break from your career to care for children or aging parents, or to follow the voice of G-d down some different professional path.

Finding G-d’s will in our lives involves seeking G-d’s wisdom to understand what to do — asking G-d to help lay out a plan to accomplish it including using our strengths willingly and gracefully. This means accepting the changes that are inherent in such a decision. Although I sometimes wondered if I had made the right decision, I learned to trust G-d that there was a greater plan and greater will moving me along on my path. I am grateful for the path that G-d has taken me on so far, and I keep asking G-d to guide my current situation and to help me navigate the turns and twists that are coming up. And I pray for the grace and wisdom to listen.

If you are wondering what G-d’s will is for your life, perhaps you can consider first what you like most about your life right now? What do you like least? And then consider what does finding G-d’s will in your life—personally, professionally, and for your family—mean for you? It all starts with considering, praying, discerning, and of course Listening. It takes time – but G-d will answer those prayers.

Pastor Dave