July/August Saints and Seasons

Saints and Seasons 

Merrill Waterhouse. Kathy Bafetti. Tony Montessanto. Barbara Milne. Gloria Joyce. Leanore Guimont. Gwen Hunter. Bill Mahedy in hospice care. There have been times in my life when I almost felt that things would continue the way they were forever. This is not one of those times. This is the opposite; a time when everything seems in flux - there seems to be no stability and the meaning of things is up for grabs.

Peter Gomes, wrote: ”Hope is that which gets us though and beyond when the worst that can happen, happens.”  In these times of impermanence and letting go, when there is no firm footing, we find comfort in the experience, and strength of those who have gone before and who beckon us on. St Paul calls Christ  is “a sure and certain anchor for our souls,” and we are glad to have an anchor to something that doesn’t change, doesn’t slip away with the tide. We need reminders to keep our eyes on that which endures, not that which is too quickly passing away. 

Without this anchor we wrap our happiness and our well-being around that which is transitory - a trusted friend, a spouse, a church, a job. An idea, even an idea of God, can slowly becomes an idol; without our even realizing it, that becomes our God. The reason that the first commandment is the first (“You shall have no other gods but me,” ) is because we so readily replace God with other things. When you find what you really depend on, you will find your God. 

We are created and called throughout our lives to to be alone with the Alone. And then, for one brief passage from life to Life, we are truly alone in His embrace, until we are reunited with the fellowship of all those who have gone before. Christ calls our name, He woos and guides us into the future, even though we cannot see it, even when we’d rather stay in the past. With the Holy Spirit as our guide we have noting to fear as we “go from strength to strength in the life of perfect freedom.” 

O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of ilife is over and our work is done.  Then, in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last. Amen. 

Louise Buck 

July/August 2011

Saints and Seasons @ is a monthly (except for August) column written by Louise Buck for the community at St David's Episcopal Church, 5050 Milton St, San Diego CA.