The Rector's Ramblings...June 11, 2009

According to the calendar in The Book of Common Prayer, The Season after Pentecost begins with Trinity Sunday.  However, for most of us, it truly begins with the Sunday after Trinity when the Liturgical Colors are changed to green.  With that change we find ourselves a part of the great teaching season of the Church Year or simply what some call the "Long Green Season."

There are two things I want you to keep in mind as The Church of the Good Shepherd, which is all of us, moves through the months of summer and early fall that make up this part of the Church Year.  The first is to keep your focus upon God. The second is to be open to discipleship. I was reminded of these two things as I gazed upon two pieces of art that adorn the western wall of my office.  They were created by two women whom I deeply admire.

The first is a framed cross-stitch of the Christian symbol of the Alpha and Omega that was done by my mother shortly before she died.  Every time I gaze upon it I am reminded of those words from the first chapter of the Book of Revelation, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (v. 8)  I am also reminded that during this Season after Pentecost we are called to keep our focus upon the one who loves us so much that he gave us the greatest gift of all, the gift of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The second piece of art, created by Wilma Miller of our parish, is a pen and ink rendition of the Riverboat Natchez sailing majestically down what I presume to be the mighty Mississippi.  It hangs over the prayer desk next to my desk.  On days when the pace of life just seems to hectic I stop and look at that picture, and I find myself thinking of what it would be like as a passenger traveling to some new and exciting Port of Call.

It also reminds me that during the Season after Pentecost, we are like the passengers on that riverboat in that we are moving, cruising if you will, toward something new.  That something new is more and exciting opportunities for discipleship, new ways of sharing the power of the Scripture readings that we encounter during this season with others.

My brothers and sisters, truly live into the Season after Pentecost.  Experience the power and beauty of God's creation and be open to any opportunity of discipleship that presents itself.  If you do this you will experience your faith in the same way that my Navy shipmates spoke of serving our country, "It's not a job, it's an adventure."