In the months leading up to my renewal leave, I spoke often about a planned backpacking trip in Maine. In late June, my travel companions and I were slated to hike the 100 Mile Wilderness, the northern most and arguably the most rugged section of the Appalachian Trail. But in very late May, after three years of dodging it, I contracted COVID. I “recovered” in time to make the trip to Maine, but after a grueling day on the trail, I realized that the stamina I had built up in months of training had been zapped by the virus, and sadly, I left my companions to finish the wilderness hike without me. Spiritually speaking, my disappointment and embarrassment led me to a different trailhead - a “hike” of spiritual wrestling and inner struggle.
In the book of Genesis, we find passage in which the spiritual forebear, Jacob, comes to his own dark night of wrestling. Fearful of the revenge of his brother, Esau, Jacob undertakes a journey intended to buy time to escape, and eventually, to placate his sibling. But in the middle of one night, Jacob finds himself in an hours long wrestling match with a “man”. The scene ends, ironically, with Jacob refusing to release his grip on his opponent only when the latter blesses him by changing his name...to “Israel”.
Many of us have known long seasons of struggle, and during those times, are not sure what the outcome will be. Like Jacob, as we move through those experiences we realize that whatever else has been going on, we have been wrestling with God. Even at that, like Jacob, we leave with a wounding that helps define who we are and who we are going to be. As Belden Lane says it, like Jacob, all of us are wounded, where we are most vulnerable, where we have failed and been failed by others.
Let’s chat about this on Sunday. The sermon is titled “Slippery Stones and Winding Roots: Getting Tripped Up On Life’s Trail,” arising from Genesis 32: 22-31. Musically, we will be led by the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs. The choir will offer H.L. Hassler's Agnus Dei and Soprano Stephanie Conklin will offer Dan Forrest's Cry No More. In the children’s moment, we’ll mark the beginning of the school year by having a time of blessing backpacks. We’ll also celebrate Holy Communion.
If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.