Growth
“Now the number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him or her was his or her own, but they had everything in common.” Acts 4:32
Dear God,
I am so afraid to open my clenched fists! Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to? Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands? Please help me to gradually open my hands and to discover that I am not what I own, but what you want to give me. And what you want to give me is love—unconditional, everlasting love.
Amen. Henri Nouwen
In our scripture we read of the transformation of the early believers into those who shared all, and in so doing Christianity spread, for it was the early Christians who put their lives on the line in feeding people, caring for people in the midst of disease. Christ transformed the early believers into being Christ bearers-the willingness to give their lives for others.
We can sit back, and tell ourselves that we are homo sapiens, that we come from monkey’s, and so what else can we expect but violence, hatred, and selfishness and that is true, but in our evolutionary life God has given us the opportunity into moving into being like him in the Cosmic Christ, the one who transforms the whole world into his realm of peace, love, wholeness. Each of us can become a Christ bearer, we simply need to say yes, and take one step at a time. And we have seen examples, St. Francis, Damien of Molokai, Dorothy Day, Mother Teresa, Reverend Glenda Hope, Sr. Bernie Galvin, and so many more through the centuries and now.
Brother David Allen describes that evolution when he says:
“Growth happens in many ways, sometimes quickly, and sometimes slowly. As we grow in faith, it is steadfastness that pays in the long run.” Steadfastness, putting our hands to the plow and not looking back.
For me, let’s see–I have talked about being in the “rabbit hole” this past year or so, well I am out of it now, and I am sat steadfastly walking towards Galilee. My time is coming to an end in a few years or sooner, and I will be forgotten, but my legacy is in the lives of those I have touched, seeking to the best of my ability to be one with them, to walk with them, to love them, to care for them, not seeing age, race, religion, creed, or color but seeing in each one the best that they can be and trying my damn-est to love them with all of my heart . And that is the challenge the Cosmic Christ gives all of us, to be Christ bearers, “to love the Lord our God, with all of our heart, mind, and soul and our neighbor as ourselves”. To love expecting nothing in return! Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!
Philip Workman Memorial Banquet
Noon, May 9, 2019
Civic Center/Polk Side
Philip was executed on May 9, 2007, his life being transformed in his years on death row, his last act one of unselfish giving of vegetarian pizza (this year we may give veggie sandwiches due to cost), and so we join him in faith opposing the death penalty.
Fr. River Damien Sims, sfw, D.Min., D.S.T.
P.O. Box 642656
San Francisco, CA 94164
415-305-2124