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Happy New Year from St. Simon's!

Fr. Bob and Rev. M.E.

Established in 1957, St. Simon's Episcopal Church is located in southern Arlington Heights, a northwest suburb of Chicago. We are young and old, single, married and divorced, empty nesters and families with young children, newcomers and charter members. Each week as we gather around the altar for Spirit-filled traditional worship, we find our unity in Christ and in service to Him. We welcome all visitors and newcomers to join us!

Weekly Thought From Rev. M. E.

Light in the Darkness.

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38

In this week's reading, we don’t get a sense of what Mary was doing when she was interrupted. Some of the great paintings of the Annunciation have her spinning when the angel Gabriel comes; that she’s actually spinning Jesus’ death shroud, even though she doesn’t know it at the time. I imagine everyone had their routines back then. There was plenty of work to do in keeping themselves busy to survive. So, I’m certain that the angel Gabriel interrupted her while she was doing something. But we don’t get a sense of her irritation, if there was any. There’s confusion. That seems pretty clear. She opens herself to stopping whatever she’s doing and listening to the angel. Now, I think that kind of makes sense because, if an angel were to appear to us, that’s an interruption one would stop for. But rather than be irritated by this interruption, she’s confused by his pronouncement and, rather than reacting negatively or saying “this cannot be”, she says: “how can this be?”, which is very different than her cousin’s husband’s reaction previously in this chapter – Zechariah – who also was visited by an angel and was disbelieving and wanted a sign. So, the angel took his voice away – made him mute for his doubt. Mary doesn’t doubt, she just says: “how can this be?” And we, after hearing the long list of how it can be, are reminded that nothing is impossible for the Lord.

How often are we irritated by interruptions in our lives? We’ve got our day planned, but somebody calls and says: “I need your help” or “could you do this?” And, if you’re like me, you occasionally react with irritation. But I would challenge us to embrace – and myself too – to embrace the interruptions because God is often present in those interruptions. In looking back on some of the biggest interruptions in my life, I realize that God was present and I leave those experiences with my heart full. So, I challenge us, during this busy time as we prepare for Christmas, to embrace the interruptions and look for God’s presence in them.

Peace,

The Rev. M.E. Eccles, LPC

Advent Message from the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church