Looking at the Train Wreck

 It has been an interesting three years as we look back at all has happened in our country and around the world. Things have made us sad, happy, angry, or joyful. When we look like at the unfortunate train accident there is a messiness of items, some colorful, a few dirty and broken, and others possibly once alive now lifeless. All of them mixed together and strewn about on the side of the tracks. Life often feels like that. 

The past three years have seen the COVID-19 global pandemic, which caused illness, death, and shutdowns around the world, including here at St. Mark. The U.S. capital violently breached. Social justice coming again into daily focus with the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery sparking demonstrations, fueling political banter, and bringing tens of thousands of people together in support of social justice issues in hopes of real and lasting change. There was a military coup in Myanmar and there is currently political strife in Taiwan. Russian troops invaded and now occupy parts of Ukraine. People in Iran have taken to the streets in their fight against oppression. Wildfires devastated Australia and parts of the Western US. Earthquakes and hurricanes have all but wiped out places like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti leaving thousands without water, electricity, food, and proper shelter. 

AND…Science and medical communities across the globe came together developing and distributing vaccines to combat the COVID spread allowing us to begin the journey back to “normal” life before COVID-19. The doors of St. Mark reopened as we gathered once again for in person worship and events. The US withdrew military troops from Afghanistan, the UK withdrew from BREXIT, and Harry and Meghan withdrew from the Royal family. The 2020 summer Olympics, first postponed, joyfully proceeded albeit with limited in person access. Historically, the first woman and first woman of color to serve in the office, was inaugurated as Vice President. Space-X began space flight and reached the International Space Station with a payload of much needed supplies and NASA sent a second rover to Mars. 

It might seem hopeless to see our world as a train wreck. And so much of what happens in this world seeks to take us down into a deep dark hole prompting us to hide away in the perceived safety of our own comfortable lives. I strive each day to see the wreck from a different point of view. There is hope in the midst of the messiness. I see you working along the tracks doing what you can to clean up the mess. You are there giving clothes to the ones who are shivering in the cold night air. You are the ones providing meals for those who are hungry and perhaps don’t know when the next meal will come. And you are the ones who are praying for those who don’t have a voice. You are the “helpers” (Mr. Rogers) that God calls to the train wreck, asks that you to look at it, and then act on nudging of the Holy Spirit, whatever your particular gifts, to be the hands and the feet of Jesus. 

Peace and Blessings, 

Pastor MP