So Great!

There is no more beautiful or comforting image in the entirety of scripture than the one provided to us by the author of Hebrews:
12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

12:2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

 The great cloud of witnesses is one of the reasons why I'm still committed to this often-haggard institution of Church. 

It's present in our baptisms, it's present at communion, it's present when we grieve after losing someone, it's present when we witness wedding vows, it's present when we strive to greatness, it's present when we fail to be our best selves.

When we proclaim the life eternal we are recognizing that those whom we have lost continue to live with God and within our hearts. When we eat communion as a body we are recognizing that those we are apart from are seated at the table.

It propels us forward when we feel that we have fallen short.

I've spent some time with this passage recently, and as I was sitting among the words I came across this speech from Fred Rogers: 


Please take the time to watch the video, it's worth it. If you can't, then here's a transcript of what he says:
"So many people have helped me to come here to this night. Some of you are here, some are far away and some are even in Heaven. All of us have special ones who loved us into being. Would you just take, along with me, 10 seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are, those who cared about you and wanted what was best for you in life. 10 seconds, I'll watch the time. Whomever you've been thinking about, how pleased they must be to know the difference you feel they have made. You know they're kind of people television does well to offer our world. Special thanks to my family, my friends, and my co-workers in Public Broadcasting and Family Communications, and to this Academy for encouraging me, allowing me, all these years to be your neighbor. May God be with you. Thank you very much."

Surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses, thank you for being my neighbor.

Peace,

Jeff  

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