Today was the second of two supply Sundays  at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Orlando, on behalf of their well loved and gifted Rector,  Fr. David Bumstead+.  I find great joy in these opportunities to express my ministry and to support local parishes from time to time.  It is deeply meaningful. 

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is filled with many levels of  wisdom and truth for us as those who seek a more flourishing life. In this proclamation of the parable I was drawn to the necessity of becoming the kind of person for whom compassionate involvement with the suffering of others naturally (supernaturally) flows. 

Of course, loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength comes first. Without that, you can’t love your neighbor as yourself. You have to have the resources, the insight to do that, and that comes from our love of God and our devotion of every aspect of our being to the work God is doing in our world.

This Parable of Jesus reveals our need for ongoing renovation of the heart, for life truly “runs rom the heart.” Because this is true, God’s grace is abundantly and freely given to help us. 

Hope this homily brings inspiration to you. Thank you for listening. 

With you on the Journey.,

Rob+