TLDR: We go along thinking our days are just ordinary... then out of nowhere, God has a gift waiting for you.
Many of you know that I love to read blogs about art and theology. When I come across a painting that stirs my heart, I can’t help but share it with you. Christian Art is an art & theology blog written by Father Patrick van der Vorst. Fr Patrick worked as a Director of Sotheby's, Europe. He then started this art blog as a tool to teach others about God’s love and art. I find great fulfillment and personal growth in reading scripture that is accompanied by beautiful art every day! Hence the blog’s tagline, “Daily Gospel Reading and Art Reflection”.
The painting I want to share is by Jean-Bruno Gassies (1786–1832). This detailed work simply depicts the interior of a church where people are congregating before the service begins. Nothing really extraordinary... or is it? What I love about this particular piece is the extraordinary depiction of what appears to be just another Sunday. Notice the two altar servers. They are having an in-depth conversation. It could be about the thurible or something else that happened at school. Life is like that. You go along thinking everything is just ordinary then out of nowhere, God has a gift waiting for you.
Father Patrick van der Vorst associates the gospel reading, from John 16:23-28
“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete. I have been telling you all this in metaphors, the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in metaphors; but tell you about the Father in plain words.
When that day comes you will ask in my name; and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you, because the Father himself loves you for loving me and believing that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world and now I leave the world to go to the Father.”
and says “Jesus is very clear about who he is, where he has come from and where he is going. He declares, ‘I came from the Father and have come into the world and now I leave the world to go to the Father’. There is a wonderful sweep to that statement. Jesus speaks of a great journey from God back to God.” Fr. Patrick continues, “In a way, this simple statement can be said for all of us: we have all come from the Father and we are on a lifelong journey back towards the Father. This is the essential truth about human life that Jesus has come to reveal to us. Jesus’ journey to the Father helps us to travel our own journey to the Father. He shows us the way to the Father. Indeed, he says of himself, ‘I am the way’.”
From the moment I accepted the call to become a priest, my intention has been clear. God called me to share the Good News of God’s unconditional love to everyone. As you know dear St. Dunstan family, I have been on a journey of following God wherever God leads and given the chance to experience extraordinary opportunities. Recently, I went to Austin for three years to attend the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. Then last summer, I arrived here in Houston to be with you. My time here at St. Dunstan’s has been extraordinary. Jesus said in John 16,
“I came from the Father and have come into the world and now I leave the world to go to the Father.” God brought me here to St. Dunstan’s to be formed as a priest and then to be sent into the world. (Of which I am so grateful!) Talking about the curacy program, earlier, I was chatting with Kyra Helmick about the legacy of curates St. Dunstan’s has launched into kingdom work. Here are a few names that Kyra remembers: Ralph Morgan, David Browder, Brian Tarver, Alan Bentrup and Beth Anne Nelson. Perhaps you can add a few more to the list. How incredible! Now you can add one more name to the list of curates you have launched!
God has another extraordinary opportunity for me to go back into the world! With Bishop Doyle & Fr. Roman’s blessing, I have accepted the call to serve our Lord in another capacity. God never ceases to amaze me in ways I am privileged to participate. Instead of serving in parish, I will serve as a chaplain at a school! I will be serving as the assistant chaplain for All Saints Episcopal School in the rose capital of Texas. After 4 years of absence, God has opened this extraordinary door for me to return home to Tyler.
Thank you, St. Dunstan’s family, for the kindness, encouragement, support, and love extended to Bill & me. You have made an indelible mark upon my heart. Thank you for making my time here extraordinary!
Rev. Leesa+
