Weekly Reflection - 2/26/2024

St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. David Erickson

God, Relationship, and Story

“The heart of God is relationship, and the doorway to relationship is story.” Rev. Ed Bacon

My friend and mentor, Ed Bacon, gave me this wonderful quote many years ago that continues to inspire and instruct me. We believe in a Trinitarian God. A god whose core is three individuals in dynamic relationship. To know others in Christ is to know Christ as well. Jesus promises that when two or three are gathered in his name He is there as well.

The doorway to relationship is story. We understand this easily and intimately in our own lives. The people who, over time and intention, we get to truly know are those who are closest to us. We know where they are from, what they like and don’t like, and what they think and feel about various things. We have a sense of who they are through knowing their story.

But is also goes deeper when we are a part of their story. When we share experiences, adventures, trials and tribulations, failures and setbacks, together. Our stories are entwined and we know them not just through conversation, but experience.

The same is true with God. When we know the story of God, through the bible, through the ancient and modern poets, prophets and writers, we get a sense of who God is. And when we strive side by side with others for the Good News of Christ, our story becomes intertwined with God’s story. There becomes a “oneness” between ourselves and God and ourselves and each other. St. Paul once said that his life was not just him but “Christ alive within him.” (Gal. 2:20). This is the epitome of where God, relationship, and story meet, an abundant life alive in God, in one another, towards the good of the world.

This Lent, starting tonight, we engage on a Journey of Story. Join us in the Great Hall on Mondays from February 26th through March 18th from 6:00-8 p.m. to experience spiritual stories from St. Mary's parishioners and clergy and hear what difference a relationship with God has made in their lives. A light supper of soup and bread will be served from 6-6:30, and the programming will begin at 6:30 p.m.

I hope you will join us in hearing stories, sharing stories, and entwining our stories with each other and God.

Rev. David Erickson