“Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude. (from Winnie the Pooh, A. A. Milne)” 

We are coming into our last full week of Lent, and like many of you, my Lenten focus has been on the many ways that I have missed the mark and not lived into who and what God has created me to be.  There have been numerous times throughout the course of this season of Lent in which I have been dismayed and ashamed at the small size of my heart. I have found myself humbly falling to my knees before the altar to confess all the ways that I have done those things abhorrent to God  or not done those things pleasing.

This is all well and good, but if such time spent in sackcloth and ashes leads one to a place devoid of joy, then all that penitential reverence is for naught. Gratitude is the name of the game. Gratitude leads to lives of joy and service and generosity.  Gratitude is the song of those on the Way of Christ. And thankfully,  I am finding in these latter Lenten days that like Piglet, while I may have a very small heart, it can hold a rather large amount of gratitude.

I am grateful for so very much:

• the declining rates of Covid infections and deaths that has enabled us to return to some semblance of parish life that we know and enjoy;
• the inspirational and generous response of many parishioners to our appeal to help our fellow human beings in Ukraine;
• the willingness of most parishioners to try new ways of being church so that we may respond to a newly emerging post-covid world;
• the faithful and diligent service of so many of you as we put our parish back together;
• the splendid Lenten Fish Fry this past Wednesday!
• and so, so, so much more.

I am full of thanksgiving for the Church of St. John in the Wilderness.  I cannot imagine my life without this parish family, without all of you. I hope that’s how you feel too.  It truly is an amazing and miraculous thing that such small hearts as ours can hold such a large amount of gratitude.

~Father Art