During that retreat I returned several times to that scene along the shore. Each time, no matter what I asked or said, Jesus gave me love—unconditional, unlimited, unchangeable love. I came to know that whatever path I followed in life, wherever I went and whatever I did, Jesus’ love would be with me.

As it turned out, I did not finish seminary, and I also stopped attending a Catholic church, finding a more congenial home in this Episcopal parish. Throughout that journey, God’s love has been with me, so strongly that it can’t help spilling out of me, whether I’m spending time with my family, working with my therapy clients, or doing ministry here at St. Thomas.

Before I close, I’d like to say a word about the church season of Advent, which begins today. In Advent we start the church year by celebrating God’s coming into the world in the person of Jesus Christ. Think about that event for a moment: God, the creator of the universe, decides to come to earth as a helpless baby, and to minister to us as a mortal human being, even though he must know we will not understand him and even will kill him.

Why in the world would God go through with a crazy plan like that? To me, there could be only one reason: love.