Faith Matters-By Fr. Scott Petersen, Episcopal Priest

Jesus often cautioned, "Beware the Priest."- You have been warned.

I have friends in Alcoholics Anonymous who often share their experience of God quite freely. (Something we Christians can learn from.) One of my friends said recently "A grateful Heart does not drink." I asked, "What does that mean?" He replied, "When I appreciate what I have as a gift, I don't worryabout what I don't have. When I can accept the world on the world's terms I'm happier. I have gratitude for whatever I have been given for that day. Then I don't feel the need to drink. I am grateful.The trick in life is to appreciate life as a gift."

Those words should be repeated. "The trick in life is to appreciate life as a gift." Revelation? Yes. Needed revelation? Absolutely. New revelation? Not really. These are sentiments that have been expressed before. Meister Eckhart, a Christian Mystic who lived from 1260-1328, said," If the only prayer you said in your entire life was "Thank You." then it would be enough." Heexpressed the very same idea as my contemporaries in AA were expressing. At times, it is not so much that the world needs to change, but our perception. This new wisdom is not so new. It is old. Yet, it is still needed. As people walk the path of faith thereis often the need to take stock in our blessings.Notjust once a yearin November on Thanksgiving.Gratitude is needed daily. Hope needs allies.

This came home to me in quite an unexpected way. A few months back Ibecame angry to learn that a priest in my Diocese had been accused of infidelity and "behavior unbecoming a priest." Thankfully the Diocese and his parish acted quickly and dismissed him. They also did what they could to comfort the people of the parishto counter thisbetrayal of trust. It made me so mad because anytime a man or woman of the cloth makes bad choices...sins publicly...they affect the faith life of so many others. What makes me mad is not so much that a person had committed a sin but, the priest had chosen to commit "behavior unbecoming" at the expense of the public trust given him. He, as a priest, is a trustee of the faith. He is a representative of God's work in the world. He in his role, was not acting alone.So I had gotten myself in a tizzy thinking of the negative impact this man had made on his congregation and its negative impact on all priests (namely me), whenEckhart's words returned with force.

"If the only prayer you said in your entire life was "Thank You" then it would be enough." Thank you? I thought sceptically. Thank you for what?Look what that man did...and bam! There it was. I had been focused on him. I was blaming like a child. I had stopped saying "Thank You." I had stopped being grateful. I had been allowing this one bad act...this one sin...block me from the fuller view. I had lost the proper perspective.What about the 100+ priests in my diocese who had chosen to act to their call instead of against it? What about the thousands of other Christian priests, pastors, leaders in South Florida who chose to live out their faith that day instead of betray it? What about the hundreds of thousands of Christians inour communitywho sought to better love their neighbor, care for the poor, visit the sick that day? that week? that month? that year?This thought of perspective does notreleaseme from taking responsibility to act well. This thought of perspective does not release the priest who should be held accountable. It was right to remove him. He had betrayed the trust granted to him. This thought of perspective does, however, give me the window to see the blessings amidst the difficulty...light from shadow. This thought allows me to become new (one more time) in my faith.

Gratitude and thankfulness do not take away the sins of the world. Gratitude and thankfulness give us the opportunity to truly see that sin does not have the final say. I do hope this thanksgiving that you will take stock of your life and be grateful for what you have. My great hope though is not only do we recognize our blessings on Thanksgiving, but daily.AA's are not the only ones who need to practice this. All of us need to practice thankfulness. Pray this day, "Thank You." Discover that it is enough.

Truly, it is in darkness that one finds the light, so when we are in sorrow, then this light is nearest of all to us. Meister Eckhart

Fr. Scott Petersen invites you to come practice your gratitudeon Thanksgiving Day (10AM) at Good Shepherd Church. Seekers and spiritual misfits are welcome. He will be striving to practice this prayer of gratitude in the meantime.Fr. Scott and The Church of the Good Shepherd welcome you to come and discern if Good Shepherd is a good church home for you and your family. Sunday services are at 8am and 10am (Sunday School.) Contact Fr. Scott at spetersen@goodsheponline.orgwith questions, comments, or sheer adulation! The Church of the Good Shepherd, 400 Seabrook Rd, Tequesta.(561)746-4674 www.goodsheponline.orgWe have a place for you!