Grow and prosper

Growing in our faith includes developing regular practices, such as daily Scripture reading or designating a spot and a time of day for prayer. Deeper faith occurs when we join others on a faith journey. An intentional growing of our faith calls for a response from us to Jesus’ call to follow him. From the readings appointed for the Sixth Sunday following the Epiphany,

“I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.” Jeremiah 17:10 NRSV

God gives to us according to our doings. We will not grow our faith in isolation and inactivity, but in action. What might we intentionally do to help grow our faith?

To join others on the journey, spend time with others. Perhaps you have discovered a ministry at St. John’s that you regularly engage in, such as helping once a month with HabiJax for Humanity. Perhaps you are not yet sure how you might participate in ministry. You might connect with Laura Eldredge, who oversees several regularly scheduled ministries but is also building a list of parishioners who want to assist for special events that might occur only once or twice a year. In this way, you can meet fellow faith travelers and learn about a variety of service opportunities before committing to a particular one.

Spend time with others in classes. On a weekly basis, St. John’s has active artists and yogis. If you can keep a secret, I will let you in on some inside yoga info: you do not have to be an Olympic athlete to take part in yoga. You may flow from tree pose to triangle pose like a pro, but you also may practice chair yoga. This is a wonderful choice for people who are not on regular speaking terms with their knees! You may even choose to spend the time during yoga class sitting in the beautiful space of Cummings Chapel in quiet meditation, perhaps with peaceful music playing. Pre- and post-class conversation flows between class members.

Engage with fellow Christians beyond our parish. This Saturday, come to the celebration of the life and work of the first African American to be ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church of the United States. The Union of Black Episcopalians and St. John’s Cathedral will remember The Rev. Absalom Jones in a special Holy Eucharist offered in the Cathedral on Saturday, February 12 at 11 a.m., followed by an outdoor reception. Come engage with others as we all journey to a deeper faith.

Bearing in mind that God will give to us according to our doings, decide to do something active with others in the congregation. Your own faith and that of the people you will engage with will grow and prosper.