The Rector is not offering a long ramble today. Usually, not having enough time is what leads to a long rambling. Editing a rambling or a sermon to a desirable length is a time consuming process. It takes longer to write a 12-minute sermon than a 15-minute sermon, for example (Mark Twain knew this reality too). But, this week, I don’t even have the time it takes to write a three-page rambling, let alone a two-pager. 

I have been caught up in the planning for Ernie Andrus's finish this coming Saturday, which I imagine you know about by now. A little hitch in the planning added a bit of work to get us back on track. On Monday afternoon, the caterer who was going to come and feed everyone on Saturday had to cancel. The company is located in Louisiana, right in the middle of all the flooding there. Instead of coming here to celebrate with Ernie, which they had been delighted to do, they are feeding people around them who are displaced and doing recovery work as

water recedes. The right place for them to be is with their family and neighbors.

I have been amazed to see the outpouring of help since we announced this hiccup in planning via social media. We managed to work with local caterers who are helping us out on short notice, and who are not going to profit from helping Ernie. In the first day of asking for donation,s we raised enough to cover our costs, and will be able to give the proceeds to Ernie’s fundraising goals. 

I shouldn’t be surprised; I’ve seen the hopeful sign that humanity is inherently good, time and time again, when someone is in need. Yet I am always amazed to see it when it happens. Despite the focus on negativity and bad news in our various media outlets, our fellow neighbors are good people at their core. I am glad we have a tradition that celebrates this and starts from this place - not a place of brokenness and depravity. We may be sinners all, but we are

still made in the image of God and even if we forget our purpose from time to time, we have hearts made for loving others.

So while I don’t have enough time to write a full rambling, my heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude, and I can share that with you instead (in less than 500 words!). Perhaps if I stopped more often and looked around I could see the good works that surround me almost constantly. Perhaps we all would. God is good.

Tom+

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. BCP p.235