Barre Congregational Church
Home30 Park Street
Barre, Massachusetts
This Month's Message From Pastor Margaret - continued
We all have friends, loved ones, and colleagues with whom we share experiences,
memories, and valuable lessons for personal growth. And yet, we often don't know
the full story of those whom we encounter, whether it's our friends or those whom
we just met. Upon boarding the train from New York City to New Haven, we observed
an advertisement addressing the challenges associated with addiction. The message
emphasized the importance of refraining from making assumptions about others,
recognizing that everyone has a unique story, and acknowledging that without understanding someone's experiences, it is inappropriate to judge them. This holds true for much of what we don't know about each other. This message was a reminder of the many ways we can connect, getting to know each other's struggles, support each other, and address concerns together.
Christ dedicated considerable time, engaging with his disciples and the crowds, fostering an understanding of their circumstances, especially the conditions of the sick, the poor and the outcasts while consistently addressing themes of love and compassion. He heard their stories and took them on a journey of dignity and healing. He transformed their lives, enabling them to speak about Him and His work in and through them. Once outsiders, without hope, they became messengers of love, hope, joy, and peace.
Each one of us has joy and happiness, sadness, concerns, grief and more. All these make up our journeys in life. Others have similar experiences. We all are on this journey of life, and as God's children, we are called to bring the love within ourselves to our loved ones, the stranger, and the ones we have not seen in a while. By doing this, we change lives and give and receive the healing we all need.
May God help us and open our hearts and minds always to see those around us the way God sees us.
We just don't know what light we may bring, and what joy we may receive in return...
Many blessings,
Pastor Margaret Keyser
