November 6, 2007
Dear St. Paul’s Family,
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the first book in the celebrated children’s series, a young Harry shares a conversation with headmaster Albus Dumbledore about an extraordinary magical artifact called the Mirror of Erised. When Harry looked at its reflection, he saw an image of his deceased parents at his side. When his friend Ron looked at it, he saw himself holding a championship trophy.
Intrigued by the powers of the mirror, Harry listened as Dumbledore explained,
“Now, can you think what the Mirror of Erised shows us all?”
Harry shook his head.
“Let me explain. The happiest man on earth would be able to use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror, that is, he would look into it and see himself exactly as he is. Does that help?”
Harry thought. Then he said slowly, “It shows us what we want…whatever we want….”
“Yes and no,” said Dumbledore quietly. “It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts.”
It invites us to pause and think about what we would see in the mirror if we looked into it. Would we see ourselves as we already are? Or would we see a longing for something more? In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul posed a mirror to his soul and discovered within himself a priceless treasure:
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (4:10-12)
We live in a culture in which contentment is a rarity. We accumulate more stuff, push for greater achievement, and stir with a restless anticipation for a future that always seems a tad out of reach. In the meantime, we fail to see grace in the present moment.
The frame of the Mirror of Erised (“desire” in reverse) bears the words erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi, which when reversed reads “I show not your face but your heart's desire.”
Have you discovered the treasure of contentment?
REMEMBER! REJOICE! RESPOND!
This Sunday we come to the pivotal moment in our stewardship series. We will further explore this powerful passage from Philippians with a sermon titled “Rejoice! Hearts Filled with Gratitude.” And, we will hear powerful testimony from a member of our church who has lived both the tragedy and freedom of this passage:
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
At the end of the service, you will receive a packet containing the proposal for the 2008 Budget, and your financial commitment pledge card. Please join us for this inspiring, transformative worship service.
It’s still great to be the church!
Grace and Peace,
Magrey
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