From the Epistle of the Joy of the Lord--I

Just because we could all do with a good reminder of the fact that the Christian Life is, despite its ups and downs, the life of joy in the Lord.

Philippians 1: 1-5 (RSV)

    1: Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philip'pi, with the bishops and deacons:
2: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3: I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4: always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
5: thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

I feel this when I think about the blessings of the community of St. Blogs. I thank God every day for the support, encouragement, and correction I have received from the generous members of this community. It is one place where I really have a chance to talk about things of the spirit. Too often, I go to church, attend Mass, and leave, fulfilled in having received the Lord, but still desperately hungry in my desire to be fed by the word and by understanding, and by communication, and by seeing and hearing how others approach the Lord.

In many places at St. Blogs, I can receive the blessing of listening to other people reflect on the joys and trials of Christian life. I hear people talk about important matters of the spirit, and to outsiders to the conversation, it may seem a protracted straining at gnats, but to those of us starving for truth and understanding, it is a banquet, a feast, a repast unrivaled in the natural world--one excelled only by the sweetness of the Word of God and by the Holy Eucharist itself. I feel, if only for a moment, in touch with and seeking out the important things of life. This connection is unfortunately all too uncommon in our normal church-going.

And so each day, I thank God for St. Blogs, which has provided for me a means of understanding and a means of loving God better. Each person who labors to share their thoughts and reflections provides wonderful food for thought and a profound service to those who seek the truth in humility. Thank you all, for I am truly, "thankful in your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now."