Rector’s Reflection - November

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? – 1 Thessalonians 3:9

Dear friends in Christ,

November is a month we particularly associate with gratitude, and it comes just in time this year! Even for those who feel healthy and balanced right now, anxiety is in the air and in our bodies. (If you’re not feeling it, please come and tell me your secret.) Did you know that practicing gratitude can decrease depression and anxiety, as well as lessen chronic pain and risk of disease?

In our Eucharistic Prayer, we say “it is right to give thanks at all times and in all places.” It is right and joyful to do so because there is always something for which to give thanks – the sustaining love of our Creator, the One who breathes life into us with every breath we take. Something else to be grateful for is the gift of healthy Christian community, as expressed by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians.

When I read the verse above, it resonated in my heart. St. Mary’s isn’t perfect, but it is full of people who are trying to follow Jesus and who know that practicing – putting into action what we say we believe – is what faith is all about. It brings me such joy to encourage you and watch you grow and thrive in your faith. This call to ministry is not always easy, but I am always grateful for it.

This month, our invitation is to practice gratitude every day. Take five minutes at the end of the day and note as many things as you can that you are grateful for right then. It might be a challenge, on tough days, to find something to be grateful for, but it gets easier the more you do it. This is not a uniquely Christian practice, so it’s a great time to invite friends and family to join you. Sharing with others encourages all of us to be more alert to the blessings of each day. And that is healthy for all of us.

Peace,

Pastor Kristine