September 19, 2021
Dear St. John's Community,
I read yet another news story this week about how the pandemic has made us short-tempered and irritated; angry at ourselves and angry at others. It made me think of kids (including myself, to be clear) who would ask on a long car journey, with rising irritation: "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" Sadly not, it seems. But even if we can't end the pandemic, perhaps we can do something about the irritation and anger.
In the second part of the Great Commandment, Jesus tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. And that gives us, I think, at least part of the answer. First, we really need to be kind to ourselves right now. Not necessarily (just) in the "eat more chocolate" sense of being kind – but also not beating ourselves up for the things that didn't work; for the things we take longer to do; and, yes, for that boredom, irritation and anger. And once we've been kind to ourselves, we stand a better chance of being in a space where we can also be kind to our neighbors. Which, in turn, becomes a virtuous circle, as we begin to feel still better about ourselves, precisely because we are helping others.
Here in DC, right here in our community, very close by, many of our neighbors are in great need – especially in SW, SE, and NE. This fall, as we seek to expand our local community outreach through WIN, and in other ways, we will have opportunities to love our neighbor, and in the process to better love ourselves. We are not "there yet", either with the pandemic, or in the healing of our community. But if we are kinder to ourselves, and kinder to others, then we'll get “there” a whole lot quicker.
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Today we continue to settle back into our regular rhythm of services at 7:45 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.
We look forward to seeing you today!
Blessings,
Will
