Mid-week Message

Grace and peace to you through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Many of us have watched movies about pandemics and, try as they might, the movies never captured the day-to-day reality of a real pandemic. In the first month, I remember a friend saying to me, “I never knew a pandemic would mean doing so many dishes!” Those of us with children at home—all the time!—have lived a busy-ness unlike anything we have ever experienced. One of the odd things about this pandemic, however, is that while some of us have been busy, others have been bored out of their minds. God is with us in the stillness and in the busy-ness.

Brother Lawrence, a monk who lived in the 1600’s, learned to connect with God in the stillness and in the busy-ness. The book The Practice of the Presence of God 2013 Edition (edited by Cary White, pg. 13) says this about Brother Lawrence: “It was observed that in the great hurry and business of the kitchen, he still preserved his recollection and heavenly-mindedness. He was never hasty nor loitering, but did each thing in its season, with an even uninterrupted composure and tranquility of spirit. ‘The time of business,’ he said, ‘does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess GOD in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Sacrament.’”

In the stillness and busy-ness of these extraordinary times, may you also be inspired by Brother Lawrence. May you connect with God in tranquility of spirit, and do each thing in its season, whether you are busy or bored.

Go in peace and serve the Lord, Rev. Sarina