January 15, 2020

Resurrection

We are in the business of resurrection. The Resurrection of Jesus is, in my opinion, the second biggest miracle our world has experienced. The first is the Incarnation – that moment when the immortal, invisible, omnipotent God became a mortal, visible, weak human being. However, it is Resurrection that most informs our faith. As Eucharistic Prayer B says, “In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.”

We are in the business of moving from death into life. We are in the business of resurrection.

Whether that is the death of our own sins into a life of forgiveness and redemption, the death of our own antichrist behavior giving way to Christ-like behavior, a baptism from who we were into who we can become, or any number of other instances, we look for resurrection.

We have an opportunity to live into resurrection first hand.

Back in August one of our parishioners was arrested for attempted bank robbery. There is a long story there, but let's just say that Dcn. Sue has been doing all of the legwork with this situation in providing both spiritual and practical care. Our parishioner has spent from August 12 until January 14, that's 156 days, in jail. Due to the hard work of her caseworker, legal defense, and (yes) prosecutor, an agreement was reached that provided for her conditional release.

I was at her final hearing yesterday where release paperwork was signed, an apartment lease was being provided, transportation arranged, household items delivered, and a bag of clothes that I gave her. Dcn. Sue has more clothing for her, and her caseworker will be working closely with her to ensure she is on the right track and following the terms of her probation.

She also plans on attending the 10:15 service this coming Sunday.

In attending both her first sentencing and final trial, and in discussions with Dcn. Sue, I can tell you that she is heartily sorry for these her misdoings and has humbly repented (at least to the victim and the judicial system). She is also concerned about the reception she will get from the people at Saint John's. How she is received, though, is entirely up to each one of us.

I will close by reminding everyone that we are in the business of resurrection. We all have a resurrection story in our lives somewhere. May we be a part of her resurrection story.

Blessings,