Thoughts for the Journey

Dear Friends,

The warming rays of the spring sun serve as a welcome reminder of the coming summer. Signs of renewed life are beginning to be seen in the world around us and for us who celebrate new life in Jesus this is further testimony of our heavenly Father’s grace and care. This thought is reflected on even more so in the wonderful hymn, number 600 from the Book of Common Praise (1938). It is a hymn I fondly remember singing many times in my home parish as I was growing up in Flin Flon, and one that I would often lead unaccompanied when I first began officiating at services some 35 years ago.

This is my Father’s world and to my listening ears
All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world; I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees,
Of skies and seas, His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world; the birds their carols raise;
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world; He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world; the battle is not done,
Jesus, who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heaven be one.

This simple little hymn by the Reverend Maltbie Babcock, does express some deep truths and offers us the gentle reminder that in the end God is present and to be found in this life, and in this world. For those who have the eyes to see, the ears to hear, God will be seen and heard. Sometimes our difficulty is remembering whose world it is and rather than acting as stewards we claim an ownership and a dominion that is not ours. Sadly the same can be said about our relationship with the Church as well.

Our Lord often used images from nature to convey truths about God and about our human condition. Indeed he even described himself as a vine and his Father as the vinedresser and He invited us to remain grafted in him so that we might be able to bear fruit that will last. A truly rich harvest of fruit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control as it is described by St. Paul in the letter to the Galatians. As members of His Body, members of His Church may we always be open to the Spirit working in us, renewing us, causing us to blossom, and bear fruit.

Just as we experience the renewal of nature, so may we know that renewal in our lives, and again to quote from Galatians, “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

May you see and know God in all around you and may you know and sing in your heart (and with your voice) “This is my Father’s world!”

Abiding with you in the True Vine,

+Jim