Curate’s Corner
The Rev. Dr. Ashley M. Classen, Curate
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Irving
I once knew a man who fell into a pit…a really deep pit. Respectable people came along and said: “We don’t associate with pit-dwellers.” An empathist came along and said: “I really feel for you in that pit.” A psychiatrist came along and said: “It can be very destructive to remove people from pits they were born in.” A psychologist came along and said: “Accept your pit, that way you’ll be happy.” A religious fundamentalist came along and said: “You deserve your pit.” A religious liberal came along and said: “Your pit is God’s beautiful gift to you.” A charismatic came along and said: “Just confess you’re not in that pit.” His mother came along and said: “It’s your father’s fault you’re in that pit.” His father came along and said: “It’s your mother’s fault you’re in that pit.” His wife came along and said: “It’s all my fault you’re in that pit.” But Jesus came and seeing the man, loved him, and reaching into the pit put his arms around him and pulled him out.
We all have our stories that are profoundly important because they tell where we’ve been, where we are, why we believe what we believe, and give hope to other pit dwellers. You have just read mine.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He rescues me from the pit and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! Ps. 103:3-5
I love you, St. Markians, Deacon Ash