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 Be Steadfast!            

I receive a daily e-mail from the Brothers of Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE).
SSJE is a male order of Religious, in Boston,  within the Anglican Communion.  

The email is “a word for the day”.  

So, each Thursday, for the past 3 years, I have shared one of those words with the parish. Often, it is difficult to choose the word I wish to share. This means, a number of those spiritual reflections get left on my computer screen.            

A ‘word’ from this past week:  Steadfast

‘Christ was steadfast in faith, abiding with confidence in the love of his Father even in the face of opposition and rejection. Draw on Christ’s strength. Claim his steadfastness and embrace his promise of life. There will be times when you may be tempted to despair, perhaps even times when you question your ability to cope with life. Trust that Christ’s strength and steadfastness will pull you through.’

Br. David Vryhof, SSJE   

My immediate reflection, with this word, was to recall those who have mentored me with steadfast faith: steadfast faith in the Gospel; in the life of the church; and in their mentorship to me.

For this I, shall always be grateful.            

There have been too many to name, at the risk of overlooking others.   First, among the many, would be my parents. My father died when I was 21, and my mother when I was in my early 30’s. Their steadfastness in parenting me, and my two brothers, upon reflection, is astonishing. I think of their giving us a faith to guide us, a work ethic to embrace with pride. Tradition was supreme.

What they shared with me in those few short years that I had their guidance!  They gave me strength, and steadfastness, which continue to guide me daily.          

Added to my parents, are the ordained, and lay, leaders of my journey of faith.

Here at St. John’s, we have pictures of the clergy who have served in the parish. When I look at those images, I picture the clergy, bishops, and mentors, who have guided me in my faith — those who have reminded me, when I’ve been in doubt or despair, or when questioning my ability —  and were there to nudge me on. 

In many ways, these are the people for whom we are thankful, for the “so-called pushing us out of the nest”.            

I must recognize my partner in life: Flo.

Flo has stood alongside me. In those moments of doubt, along with my faith in the risen Christ, Flo has been my confidence, and my confidant, alongside.            

I leave you with these 2 quotes from Scripture:

  • 1 Corinthians 15.58
     ‘Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.’

-and-

  • Micah 6:6-8
    ‘With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high?
    Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
    He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’  

Blessings for this week,
Archdeacon Brian+