A Word from Your Pastor November 17

Dear Parishioners:

All good things come to an end. This is true for us in every aspect of our life - except the reality of Life itself.  Our earthly life is destined to open up to a new life in Eternity.  As people of Faith, we are called to face this “ultimate truth” with confidence and trust in the Living God, Who has promised to share with us His own Life.  The readings of these latter days of the year call us to keep our end in mind: “Lo, the Day is coming!”  Jesus calls us to perseverance in Faith.  It is by an intentional commitment to the Lord and a free choice to cooperate with His grace that we will be able to endure whatever is in prospect.

Our parish family has always managed to come together to support one another when times are difficult.  It has been heartening to see the support that the Steller family have had from the St. Timothy community in these past couple of weeks.  Many other such examples can be given.  Folks are drawn to us because of a sense of welcome and the family atmosphere.  We have been blessed by this through our history.

Nonetheless, we need to hear and respond to the call of the Gospel to be ready to face together other hardships that are inevitable.  Our community must learn to welcome both the new generations and those who are new to our family.  The enthusiasm and zeal that have been shown in the past must become patient endurance.  We must hold fast to the Faith by a living practice that grasps the inner meaning of God’s Word and the Sacramental Life we share.  The world is in darkness, but in Jesus Christ, we walk together in the Light.  “The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.”

The Collect for this weekend sums up the perspective we must take nicely:

Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God,

the constant gladness of being devoted to You,

for it is full and lasting happiness

to serve with constancy the Author of all that is good.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You

in the Unity of the Holy Spirit,

One God, for ever and ever.  Amen.