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October 28, 2007

Rector's Reflections

From Fr. Mike’s Stewardship letter…
Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ:

What a blessing it is to write and thank you for your prayers and support of the programs and ministry at Trinity Parish over the past year. I extend my own personal thanks and also those of the Vestry and clergy.
A few weeks ago, we were studying the gospel of Luke 19:1-10 where we are introduced to a character by the name of Zacchaeus, a dishonest tax collector whom Jesus called down from a sycamore tree to have dinner with him. It was, the gospel tells us, through this personal encounter with Jesus that Zacchaeus was converted. But there is more!

There is a legend about Zacchaeus that says, in later years, he used to rise early every morning carrying a bucket of water to this tree where he discovered Jesus and carefully watered its roots. Once his wife followed him and asked the reason for this strange concern over an old sycamore. Zacchaeus replied: “This is where I found Christ.”
Every time I hear that touching story, I am reminded that, like Zacchaeus, we are all called by name, unworthy and short in spiritual stature, yet loved and blessed with so much. Like Zacchaeus we have met Jesus, not in a tree, but most likely at Church. It is at church we were baptized. It is in the church that we hear His word. There He comes to dwell in our hearts when we receive Holy Communion. It is from church that we go forth into the world, bringing God’s love into those areas where it is absent. This why we support the church. This is why we work for it. This is why we give to it. Through our Stewardship support and financial gifts, we water the tree—our church.

The legend of Zaccheaus is a poignant example of Stewardship. He never forgot where he met his savior and he took care of that sycamore tree by carefully watering it daily. This year, as we “grow together as a community of faith,” I am asking that you step out in faith and accept our challenge to grow—a God-given growth: in membership, in faith, in stewardship, in outreach. We are asking you to stretch yourself this year as you consider your pledge. Our financial gifts will allow us to sustain strong and deep roots while allowing new branches to grow and new life and possibilities to sprout at Holy Trinity Church.

I pray and ask that you be a generous Steward this coming year, 2008. Giving, like Zaccheaus’ watering, is part of our holiness. It helps us to remember that we are called and by whom—Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

In Christ, Fr. Mike