Part of my job—a large part of it—is to be attuned to the spiritual needs of those coming to church on Sunday morning. That should be obvious, but sometimes it is not, as minister and congregation conspire together to stay too much in the head, talking about politics and science and sophisticated points of theology. Part of my education has predisposed me to be that way. But the better part of my education, and my life experience, tells me that people come to church for emotional uplift. And the type of sermon that often resonates with those assembled is the “pastoral sermon” that speaks to the needs of a worried or hurting person, or better yet to a happy person who wants to find a way to spread the joy. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote “How many we see in the street or in church, whom though silently, we warmly rejoice to be with  . . . . The heart knoweth.”

             Life is not easy. Every last one of us will pass through fearful fire, as if being tried in a crucible. And likely more than once. The finest words will accomplish little, but the human heart, enlarged by a rewarding spiritual practice and the company of true friends, will survive with little damage to its fundamental faith that life is as good as you make it.

             For myself then the message is that my Sunday sermons will only be as good as I make them, and that is why I put in long hours crafting each Sunday service. I can only hope that in this upcoming year I can also bring to my pastoral visits a willingness to listen before I speak, knowing that all of us walk a path that is not very smooth. My blessings to you on your journey, and I pray that you might find me a favorable companion for the road.

             Yours,

             John — The Reverend John B. LeRoy