Matthew, Mark, Luke and Susan
We’re glad you’re here!
Welcome to the weekly blog for Burlington East Presbyterian Church.
First things first: feel free to fill in your name instead of Susan. John might already be taken.
Here, you’ll find a weekly reflection which I hope will give you an opportunity to stop for a few minutes, to see yourself in God’s story of our own lives, of the community, and of creation. We’ll be thinking about what it means to live in God’s love for each of us, to grow as disciples and to follow Christ. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
Looking forward to journeying with you.
Peace in Christ,
Susan
October 23, 2024
Blog 8 Masks
I’m watching our neighbourhood transform into mounds of orange blow up pumpkins, spiderwebs and some scary stuff. The conversation on the school busses and in the parent/guardian’s huddle at the bus stop is all about what costumes will be worn, and who will be giving out treats. There doesn’t seem to be as much enthusiasm about the inflatable dinosaur costumes as there was last year.
It’s a season of masks and dressing up.
Sometimes, that’s a lot of fun. There are times when we like having a chance to dress up, do something different.
Then again, there are times when we have to put on a mask just to get through a day or event. When we have to appear brave, bold, and confident when doing a marketing presentation and we’re actually scared that we might have missed something.
When we have to put on a smile and hold back tears because we’ve just heard a comment that hurt so much, but reacting to it will only make the situation worse or put us in danger.
When we have to tell others we’re fine, and we’re not.
There are seasons of masks in our lives. While there is a lot of emphasis on living authentically these days, the reality is that sometimes we are not in a safe space to do that. Many in the world need to wear masks for self-protection, for mental health, for saving something of themselves until they can get to a safe place to express what they need. I get it. I’ve had to do that sometimes too, because we humans can’t always trust that there is a safe space around us in a given moment of vulnerability.
Here’s the thing.
In the way God sees us, masks are off. God in interested in you and loves you. Just you, just as you are. No masks necessary. In Jesus, there is a safe space, there is One who knows you and I deeply and loves us just the way we are, in the moment we are in. There is no need for a mask because Christ knows the real face we have and loves it. After all, it’s one of his best works. As a Friend who knows us well, Christ would rather see our tears, see our awkward smiles or teeth gritted in a moment of frustration than be looking at something we put over our face or heart, thinking we can hide.
In Christ, we are free of our masks, and living authentically can truly begin.
In the church, in this group of disciples trying to follow Christ, we are working hard to make our community a place where masks are not needed because all of us are loved for who we are, in the moment we are in. It doesn’t mean we don’t have boundaries when needed. It does mean that we can live authentically and safely, expressing needs for prayer or health or joy or hope or concerns or identity safely within this community because each person is created in the image of God.
So gently, gently, we can put the masks down because we won’t need them anymore, and we are seen face to face in Christ.
There is a great verse in the Rich Mullin’s song “Peace (a Communion Blessing from St Joseph’s Square)” that captures this, I think. It’s a song about one person inviting another to communion, to celebrate Christ’s life, death and resurrection even though the person inviting might not know what they other person brings to the table.
Though we’re strangers, still I love you
I love you more than your mask
And I know you have to trust this to be true
And I know it’s much to ask.
So lay down your fears, come and join this feast
He has called us here
You and me. (from the album “A Liturgy, A Legacy, and a Ragamuffin Band, 1993)
May you know and be constantly reminded of Christ’s love for you this week, just as you are.
Peace and blessings,
Susan
Photo and content ©Susan Kerr 2024. May not be reproduced or circulated without permission of the author.
October 16, 2024
Blog 7 Moments
Mark 6:39-46
You can read the passage here:
Mark 6:39-46 NIV – Then Jesus directed them to have all – Bible Gateway
The post-Thanksgiving-university-application-fall-sports-team-calendar-Christmas-is-only-70-days-away is upon us.
What did you do this weekend?
How many people did you have over for dinner?
Where did you go?
What will you do next year for university?
Where are you going for holidays next?
Are we there yet?
Sometimes, it seems we get lost in a barrage of questions that, while well intentioned, seem to push us to the next moment. And we’ve learned how to live in that push. We are pushed to set goals (a good thing), we try to make plans for ourselves, and others (often necessary, and usually good) and we make lists of what we want to accomplish. We tell stories of what we will do next, or how what we have done prepares us for what we do next. We push our stories into the future or tug them from our past.
But what if we took a second and rested here, right here, right now, just for a second?
When God created everything, in God’s time, there was a time when God rested and was present with creation without doing anything. And looking over it, God called it good. God says taking those moments is more than ok. Whatever our barrage of stories is, good or tough, God holds us in this moment, and in all moments. Sometimes, though, we don’t know God is holding us because we’re too busy rushing into the next thing. I’m not saying that as Christians we can stop moving forward. But sometimes we need to realize exactly where we are and Who we are with in the moment as we do.
I’m not good at resting and taking those moments. This one is taking practice for me. I’m working on it.
This week, I’d encourage us to stop in Christ’s presence. Breathe. Let the depth of Jesus’ grace and love come in, even if only for moments at first. Let God know what is in your heart and mind. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that burnout is a gift from God. There are lots of places where God gives peace, rest, and refreshing moments for whatever the next step in our journey holds. There are lots of times when people in the Bible got to stop for a moment. Jesus himself took moments with God after he had taught and fed over 5000 people. I would need a moment then, too.
Here are some moments to try—I am sure you have many of your own.
Look up at the stars just before going home from a late meeting and knowing that the God who made the stars is guiding you home.
A moment of watching steam spin from a coffee cup and wondering at all the forms water can take.
A moment of feeling a baby’s fingers curl around your little finger because that’s all they can hold right now.
Seeing your hair turn grey and wonder at all the wisdom and life that God guided you through to this point.
Watching one leaf fall.
Being content with just this breath.
Hearing the key turn in the door and knowing someone is safely home.
Singing or playing a beautiful major chord.
May God bless you with moments of presence this week.
Peace in Christ,
Susan
Photo and content © Susan Kerr 2024. May not be reproduced or circulated without permission of the author.