Our Church Family
 
“The Church...which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way,”
Ephesians 1:22

I have found that there are three times a year when people tend to take stock in their lives and ponder whether or not there needs to be a ‘course adjustment’ in their day-to-day living: New Year’s (i.e. I’ll lose weight; I’ll exercise more; I’ll be nicer to my neighbor; I’ll be more patient; etc.); the beginning of summer, (i.e. I’ll exercise more; I’ll relax more; I’ll spend more time with loved ones.) and the end of the summer before fall, (I’ll exercise more, and well, I’ll go back to church!). It is that last one that I want to hover on for a moment.

The summer has provided us all with a different pattern of living – longer days, perhaps time to visit a new restaurant, see more movies or plays, and spend more time with friends and family. Perhaps, as did I, you traveled a good bit during the summer; or on some Sundays, as did I, you might have missed being with your Church Family. As summer turns to fall, and the days grow shorter and just a bit cooler, it gives us an opportunity to act on that internal desire to spend a bit more time with our Church Family. I tend to use those two words with you a lot. I see St. Martin’s as a family – not some kind of disembodied collection of folks gathering to sing and pray each week, but as a real lifeline connecting the heart and soul, things earthly and things eternal. I spend most of my life here in Houston with members of my St. Martin’s family. Now, of course, part of that goes with my vocation, but as my years increase (priest or not), I find that most of my social time, deep conversations and interactions and most of my intimate friends are at St. Martin’s. When I have cause to celebrate, I often share it with this family, and when I have cause for concern or need for prayer or support, I turn first to this family.

Paul writes in Ephesians, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:22-23) Paul is not writing about the Church building, programs or support groups, but he is writing about the “gathering of Christ’s followers.” What he is reminding us is that this gathering, this “family” really reveals to us the fullness of Christ’s presence.

When we are with the family, we are immersed in Christ; of course, that means when we are away, while His presence never departs or diminishes, we have less opportunity to witness its fullness.

Jesus told us repeatedly, “Whenever two or three of you are gathered together in my name, there I am with you.” (Matthew 18:20) Isn’t that an amazing promise? When you gather with your brothers and sisters at St. Martin’s – whether for worship or education; prayer or conversation; food or fellowship; service or mission – for whatever reason; when you (when we!) come together, Jesus Christ, the Firstborn of all Creation, God Himself Incarnate is there, right there, in the midst of us!

So, fall is here again. You have lots of choices about how you will spend your time – lots of opportunities to be away from your St. Martin’s family and many, so many, opportunities to be with that family. Consider your priorities as you plot out your calendar and find ways to spend more time with this family of yours.

See you, and Him, around – in fact – every time we get together! Amen to that!

A Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus,
as fall comes again, so much tugs us this way and that,
help us to be still... to really be still... and listen
to Your voice... to respond to Your call...
to be with our family – Your children...
my brothers and sisters...
help me Lord to use this precious gift of time
in ways, in relationships,
in thoughts and deeds,
that honor, at day’s end...
You and You alone.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

A Prayer by the Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr.
The Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr.
Rector
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