Dear Friends,
All that is broken will be mended.
All that is lost will be found.
This is the refrain that sings in the heart of an elderly friend, who has suffered tremendous losses in his life. Surviving disappointments and tragedies that would have ruined most of us, he is comforted by the thought that one day, perhaps not until his last day, all will be mended, all will be found.
I thought of him this week as we marked the 18th anniversary of the September 11 tragedy, a tragedy which shattered the lives of many whom we love.
I thought of him this week as I walked with a pastoral colleague who is considering early retirement from parish ministry—the last year has been so filled with death and trauma that he fears he can go on no longer.
I thought of him this week as I grieved with a friend whose parent died an untimely death.
I thought of him this week as I prepared for Sunday, and the Gospel promise that God searches for the lost until they are found. (Luke 15.1-10) Though I have worked with this text for decades, I am always struck by the loving foolishness Jesus portrays in this pair of parables. You know the stories—99 obedient sheep are left to fend for themselves while the shepherd searches for one; 9 coins are left to gather dust while a frantic homeowner upends the whole house in search of one that rolled away. (Don’t forget to look under the couch cushions.)
What foolishness.
A wise shepherd would never leave a whole herd unattended—better to lose one than allow his whole livelihood to wander off.
A frugal homeowner would never waste that much time in search of a single coin—time is money, after all.
But when it comes to loving us, God is neither wise nor frugal. God is relentless, tireless, expending enormous efforts to find the lost, to mend the broken. If you have never been lost or broken, you may mock such foolish love. You may imagine God has better things to do than chase after those who cannot seem to help themselves. But if you have ever been that frightened lamb, that tiny treasure, knowing that God will not rest until you are found may be the only hope you have.
We have so much for which to be grateful, in our own lives and in our congregation. If today is filled with joy for you, I pray that your joy spills over into the lives of all who are privileged to encounter you. And, if, like me, your heart is heavy with the sorrow for those you love, I offer you the wisdom of an old, faithful friend who is, himself, a weary sheep, a tarnished coin:
All that is broken will be mended.
All that is lost will be found.
Pastor JoAnn Post
A Word from Pastor 