Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Joy of the Lord be with you! Truly, this time of the year is exciting as people of all ages are going back to school. Whether it be a timid preschooler who is leaving the nest for the first time, or a college freshman who is more than ready to fly the coop, the result is the same, school is here.
In the life of the Church, we are also gearing up to get back into the swing of things. The church year is nearing the end, and soon we will live out the story of the Church all over again. As we remember Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection, and then the sending of His people, we celebrate life together as God’s redeemed children. Personally, I always look forward to Advent and Christmas, and I hope you’ll forgive that I’m currently listening to Christmas music.
Of course, it is important to recognize the unique nature of the Church. All around the country, students are going to classes in which the message is, “Work harder, be better than your peers, and be sure to develop the best way possible so that one day you can be successful”. It can be so easy to fall into this pattern as people of God. After all, what parent doesn’t want to see their child be successful?
Unfortunately, we see too often how this can be detrimental to the lives of the very children we seek to encourage. Children who are pushed to be the best pitcher, the straight-A student, or the next star at Kinnick, can have this pressure heaped on them at a young age. While born out of positive desires for children, it can become the case where kids only hear praise for their achievements. I can still remember times where I basked in the praise I received from my parents when I did well at school or raced in college. How much more of a blessing is it to praise and encourage their presence in worship.
As children progress through school the idea of achievement being the priority can take its toll. These youth are then dropped off at scholarship interviews by parents who tell them “just be yourself”! It is no wonder that depression and anxiety have increased in colleges and high schools around the country.
This is an exciting time for the Gospel to be a beacon to the world today. The message of Christ is different. Sinners who have not achieved everything we desired gather together and worship Jesus, God and Man, who achieved more than any other could have. He died and rose again for failures like me. The Church is here.
As one who is still a student, excited to begin a year of learning here at Our Redeemer, it can be difficult to not get caught up in the desire to achieve, but I’m reminded of the hymn “Built on the Rock” especially the first and final verses:
- “Built on the Rock the Church shall stand
Even when steeples are falling.
Crumbled have spires in every land;
Bells still are chiming and calling,
Calling the young and old to rest,
But above all the souls distressed,
Longing for rest everlasting.
- Grant then, O God, Your will be done,
That, when the church-bells are ringing,
Many in saving faith may come
Where Christ His message is bringing:
“I know My own, My own know Me;
You, not the world, My face shall see.
My peace I leave with you.” Amen. LSB 645
May we hear and proclaim the message year after year until we are called home to be with our Redeemer who has achieved forgiveness of sins, salvation, and life everlasting for you and for me.
In Christ,
Vicar Gonzalez-Feliciano