“Happy September! Beginnings and Endings” by The Rev. Kaji Douša

September 1st,2022 Categories: Weekly Letter

Dearly Beloved,

You receive this note as we are wrapping up my trial in San Diego. This has been one of the most difficult experiences of my life. But do you know how I made it through my hours of testimony? Because I knew that I wasn’t alone. Because I knew that God was with me, and that you were with me, too. It is with God’s help – and yours – that we make it through our trials, amen?! (That’ll preach!) So thank you.

Labor Day, of course, marks a rhythm of endings and beginnings for all of us. In New York City, school begins after this weekend. Labor Day is just that – the privilege of a pause in our labor, if we have it. I pray that you can have this time to mark this day as extended sabbath. If nothing else, may you treat yourselves to extra deep breaths, to quiet time with God. Allow God some space to give you refreshment! You deserve it. In fact, you need it. We all do.

Enjoy worship at church with Rev. Stephanie at 11 am, in person and online!

God bless you, beloved! Remember: you are God’s child, God’s beloved, in whom God is well-pleased! May this bring you comfort and fill you with God’s grace.

Pax Christi,
Pastor Kaji

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10 (Year W):

1 Now Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 There was a person named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 Zacchaeus was seeking to see who Jesus was, but was not able to on account of the crowd, being short in stature. 4 So Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed a sycamore to see Jesus, who was going to pass that way. 5 Now when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Jesus, rejoicing. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “To a sinner has he gone to be a guest.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Messiah, “Look, half of my possessions, Anointed One, to the poor will I give, and if have defrauded anyone, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a child of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Woman came to seek out and to save the lost.”