Maybe you've had this thought once (maybe many times; don't worry, I won't tell). It's true: your priest is not perfect. In fact, sometimes they just don't seem to get it. This is so much the case, that the Bible has a story about priests who just don't get it. We'll hear one this Sunday, as we listen to the story of Nicodemus and Jesus. Jesus says some things that really confuse Nicodemus. So much so, that it might feel like Jesus is giving up on the guy. After all, he comes to Jesus at night — apparently worried about what his other priestly friends might say. Nicodemus just doesn't understand Jesus. There are times that I struggle with Jesus too. I find some of Jesus' teachings about forgiving our enemies, loving all our enemies, not worrying about the things of life/this world to be particularly hard. I suppose it's why the story of Nicodemus is one of my favorites. I get Nicodemus — and it's not just because I'm a priest. No, what I really love about Nicodemus and Jesus is that this isn't the last time Nicodemus appears in the gospel story. When Jesus has been crucified, Nicodemus shows up again. This time, though, he does not come at night, but in the light of day and he makes clear that he loves this Jesus, even if he has not always understood it all. What he does know is that Jesus and the promise of God's love is the answer to all his restlessness under the dark of night. I take that to be reassuring. It means that your priest doesn't have to be perfect (Thank God!) — and you can bet they won't be. It is the love of God alone that is perfect.
This Sunday, I'm excited to have the Rev. Isaac Everett join us to preach at both services and share at our Faith Forum after the 10:00 am service. Isaac is the Executive Director of CRECHE here in Boston, and he'll share with us and invite us to imagine how we can live more deeply into God's perfect love through the power of community, kinship, and making home for all. I'm looking forward to it and seeing you there!
See you Sunday,
Nick
