This shooting was the product of active forces at work in this nation right now who are fueling racist-driven hatred and violence. These forces are actively recruiting and indoctrinating persons, especially young white men into their nefarious purposes.
Sadly, in our society, despite all we have learned, mental illness is still too often not treated with the same sensitivity and regard as physical illness. It is also often stigmatized. The solution to this is education, awareness and honesty—honesty with one another and honesty with ourselves.
We have received the gift of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. By the grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are to continue to live our lives in him, rooted and built up in Christ, strengthened in the faith as we were taught it. As faithful people, our lives are also to overflow with thankfulness. This Eastertide, we all have much for which our thankfulness should be overflowing.
Canon Izzo comes to the Diocese of New Jersey with a desire to support the formation and growth of disciples, and a commitment to be an active and supportive presence for clergy and congregations in transitions. A native Brooklynite, she values relationships, is a champion of the mercy of God revealed in reconciliation and healing, and delights in how the Holy Spirit makes matches between clergy and congregations in transition. As she states herself, she is “in awe of how the Spirit grows the faith community through the mutual ministry of clergy and congregation.” Her approach to ministry is informed by a contemplative stance of listening, observing, being curious and asking questions.
Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of New Jersey is a significant means by which we all can show our love for Jesus by tending to the sheep he has entrusted to us, and especially those who hurt most, who are most fragile and vulnerable. This third Sunday in Easter, as we proclaim the risen Lord, I pray you will join me in giving thanks for the work we are doing together through Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of New Jersey. More important, I pray you will support the work of the Lord, our feeding the sheep and tending the flock entrusted to our care by generous with your donations and your prayers.
“For ancient Israel, Passover was God’s saving event, in which Moses led the people Israel out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt into the Promised Land. For Christians, Christ is God’s “saving event” calling us, leading us, out of bondage to the slavery of sin and death into the light of God’s love and life, love and life, here, now, today, in our world and in our lives. And we today, and our world, are desperately in need of this saving event.”
Christmas came into my mother’s dull room in a New York City nursing home last week. It is my prayer that the newborn Christ comes just as surely, and with that same heavenly light and joy that shines, that always shines, in darkness, wherever and whenever that darkness exists.
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