Pastor's Perspective

Father’s Day – a message from Jo

Today is an occasion to honour and remember fathers and those who have acted as fathers in our lives. For some of us our fathers have since passed away. Let today be an occasion to remember them, to utter their name in prayer and to sit quietly and reflect on what we may have learned from them.

Our fathers have passed on skills, traits, wisdoms and all manner of things we carry with us each day, things that we can pass on to the next generation. There are some among us who are now grandparents and we watch proudly as our children become parents. Today let’s purposefully consider our role as grandparents and particularly as grandfathers. Let us also give thanks for fathers, especially the fathers of our grandchildren and promise ourselves to be even more supportive of them.

Parenting in never simple and sometimes it goes horribly wrong. Today you might like to take a moment to reflect and pray about those hurts you carry or even the hurts you have caused. Let God the Father take your hurts, carry them and lighten your burden.

Almighty God and heavenly Father, your Son Jesus shared in family life and an earthly home with Joseph and Mary. Bless our homes; we pray that parents and children may be bound to each other by mutual love and honour, and come to a full knowledge of your love for them. Heal the broken-hearted and bind up the wounded, comfort and sustain those in need. Give to them wise and faithful friends and the grace to forgive and be forgiven. AMEN

 

Pastor's Perspective with Reverend Jo White

Children are sometimes our best teachers. I’m sure you’ve noticed that when the window has been broken how quickly some children want to find out who did it, to point the finger of blame; to see the culprits squirm and get a really good punishment. Some adults can be like this too. They want those responsible hunted down. (If they have done wrong in the eyes of the law they should be apprehended.) Revenge prompts them to want those responsible to feel the full weight of the law. I do wonder sometimes if these folk would be happier if we went back to an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

Pastor's Perspective

Pastor’s Perspective with The Reverend Jo White

Grief is something we all live with. It is something that ebbs and flows in our lives. Sometime we can be worried about the feelings that grief brings to the surface and ask ourselves; ‘When will this go away?’ We may even be told by family members or close friends to get over it and move on. I like to think that when someone we love dies that we change and because of that change we don’t get over grief we get used to it. There is a preciousness about remembering our departed loved one. There can be peace and even joy in cherished memories.

It is only ten days since Bishop John McIntyre; the spiritual leader and friend of the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland died. On Friday we will gather in Sale for a Memorial Service to celebrate and remember his life of service to the community and to the church. Personally, these events have brought up feelings of grief. I’ve noticed, as I’m sure you have, that the loss of someone who has had a profound influence on our lives stirs up all sorts of feelings.

In experiencing again a sense of loss I’ve found myself having trouble sleeping, being a bit grumpier than usual, making little mistakes, feeling heavy, laughing and crying. I’ve been listening to a song and found myself thinking of him. I’ve found myself reading an article written by Bishop John and thinking I will not hear from this wise and courageous man again.

I offer these thoughts not to expose myself but to share with you that grief is normal, it is part of life. We don’t need to be scared of grief or think we must rid ourselves of it. Grief can be good. 


The Reverend Jo White
Priest in Charge Anglican Parish of Yarram