Living Stones
[L]ike living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Peter 2:5
Grace and peace to you this Saturday morning. I pray that you continue to know and feel God’s loving presence in your life whatever your circumstances. Know that you are in my prayers.
More than 150 parishioners of all ages shared a glorious, though somewhat wet, weekend playing, talking, and worshiping at Shrine Mont last Friday through Sunday while another 50 gathered faithfully Sunday morning for worship with Fr. Pierce Klemmt on North Glebe Road. I am grateful to be among such faithful people, sharing this life with you. You are a gift.
During most of the Easter season we have been hearing from Peter’s first letter to his community. Tomorrow’s portion invites us to be living stones built into a spiritual house. Notice that the specific invitation is to “let yourselves be built.” In other words, be open to how Jesus is working in and through you. Open your eyes and ears to the ways that the living Jesus is moving us and drawing St. Peter’s out of ourselves to be a home for others. How might we become more open and vulnerable to our neighbors? I wonder.
This past week, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a health advisory proclaiming an epidemic of loneliness. The quality of relationships has deteriorated. People feel increasingly disconnected. The report highlights that this is especially true among young adults. Might this be an invitation for St. Peter's?
Tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m., we will formally say “yes” to one another and to God’s call to continue our ministry. I have been praying about who we might be in this next season of life. As Christians called into community and transformed by God’s grace, God has a unique gift to offer though us–an abiding love in community–a place of belonging, a place to be known.
What would it mean for you to be a living stone, to join others so that we might be built into a spiritual home, open to our neighbors?
See you in church!
The Rev. Jenifer Gamber, Rector
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
