St. Arbucks Chapel – 14 May , 2025
A potpourri of items for you this week.
First, I am very excited about the election of Pope Leo the XIV. I am grateful that the cardinals selected a person who will be himself yet continue to important healing and bridge-building work faithfully begun by Pope Francis. I invited each of you to pray for him. Pope Leo the XIV is, in my humble opinion, the most powerful person on planet earth. He has a tremendously powerful platform from which to engage the world and the issues of our day. He is obviously a man of deep prayer and passionate action. We need both to be faithful and fruitful for the cause of Christ in the world today!
Secondly, if you need some inspiration, I really enjoyed what my pastor friend recently said about the biblical character Hagar, from Genesis, chapter 16. Hagar’s story in the Bible revolves around her role as Sarah’s Egyptian slave and the mother of Ishmael, Abraham’s first son. After Sarah becomes pregnant with Isaac, Hagar and Ishmael are banished to the desert. She then encounters an angel who promises her that Ishmael will be the father of a great nation.
Hagar wasn’t where she wanted to be. She was mistreated, misunderstood, and running away. Alone in the wilderness, she must have felt invisible.
But it was there, far from comfort, far from home, that God showed up. And not just to observe. He spoke to her. He called her by name. He gave her hope.
And in response, Hagar said something no one had said before: “You are the God who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13)
Sometimes we carry pain that no one else sees. We smile when we’re struggling. We serve while feeling unseen. But the God who met Hagar in the desert is the same God who sees you — every prayer, every act of faithfulness, every tear that falls in solitude. You are never invisible to him.
Others may overlook you. But God sees you fully — and loves you deeply. His eye is not distant. It is tender. Watchful. Kind.
So if you’re feeling hidden today, like your story doesn’t matter or your presence doesn’t register, remember Hagar. God saw her.
And God sees you.
Thirdly, many of you have asked I re-share what I said this past Sunday, about people in general, and mothers/women in particular who have shaped and influenced our spiritual journey.
As an act of gratitude, name the people who told and/or showed you the stories of Jesus. And if they are still living, send them a note of thankfulness. Have a blessed week!