I Am With You

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.  Matthew 28:20

These profoundly comforting words that we will hear tomorrow conclude the gospel according to Matthew. “God-with-us” is a central message for the writer of Matthew who early in the gospel called Jesus “Emmanuel” (Matt. 1:23) and so it makes sense that at gospel’s end, Jesus leaves his disciples with these words:

Remember, I am with you always.

A week ago Friday I participated in an interfaith dialogue at Congregation Etz Hayim in South Arlington. Rav Natan, the rabbi who came to St. Peter’s in March to speak about the Seder meal, invited me to Shavuot—a celebration held 50 days after Passover when the Jewish people recall the revelation of God in Torah at Mount Sinai. The topic was revelation -- how does God reveal God’s self?

I began my remarks by reading a letter by theologian and former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan William. He was answering a 6-year-old girl who had written a letter to God asking, “Who invented you?” 

Dear Lulu—Nobody invented me – but lots of people discovered me and were quite surprised. They discovered me when they looked round at the world and thought it was really beautiful or really mysterious and wondered where it came from. They discovered me when they were very quiet on their own and felt a sort of peace and love they hadn’t expected. Then they invented ideas about me – some of them sensible and some of them not very sensible. From time to time I sent them some hints – especially in the life of Jesus – to help them get closer to what I’m really like.

 There’s much to unpack in this short reply, and I’d love to hear what you notice! (Email me.) What I love is the idea that God sends us hints—especially in the life of Jesus. We Christians believe that Jesus, God’s son, is the closest we can come to knowing God. At St. Peter’s, we have been talking about how believing Jesus is alive makes a difference for our faith. Not only can we continue to develop a relationship with Jesus, but Jesus can reveal new things about himself. Jesus actively desires to be known by us.

 The pocket practices that are part of our summer sermon series are meant to help us to do just that–to draw closer to Jesus and to God! This past week we have been practicing “breathe.” Tomorrow Brooks will introduce the practice “walk.”  Come to learn. Come and practice faith.

I hope to see you tomorrow as we continue to discover more about God together.

The Rev. Jenifer Gamber, Rector
St. Peter's Episcopal Church