Loosed in Heaven

 

Jesus said, "Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

"If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." Matthew 18:10-20

 

We leave Sitka in less than a week. It is time to let go and say goodbye. We had our last vestry together last night. It is so important for us to let each other go, to loose one another. It is important to forgive and be forgiven. We have done wonderful work together as the leadership of the church. Much of the work was very hard. Change and movement are always very challenging. We were able to free the parish from old expectations and live into the present and future of the church. Last night there was a sense of lovingly and prayerfully unbinding one another for the next step of the journey.

 

Jesus talks with his disciples about the importance of letting go and forgiving. We are invited to intentionally set one another free. We are asked to let go of the anger, resentment and expectations we cling to, in order for God to do new work among us. God promises to do mighty works for us, and to be in our midst. We need to make room for the Divine, by letting go of the old issues and resentments to make room for new love.

 

Today, I ask God to help me let go and make room for new love. May we all be moved to forgive others and unbind the resentments and frustrations we have been clinging to so tightly. May we open the doors and welcome in the Divine today.