The end of the current school year is almost upon us! It’s an exciting time for the children who look forward to their vacation time. I remember running with my classmates from the school building on the last day of school chanting, “no more pencils, no more books, no more teachers…” As an adult, I have a lot more appreciation for teachers because the older I get, the more I realize how much I have left to learn. I realize that there is a lot that I still want to learn. We owe our teachers a huge debt of gratitude. They have trained us and formed us and taught us, and in so doing they have enriched our lives.

I have had a whole congregation of teachers this year at Saint Nicholas. Each of you, from the oldest to the youngest, is, for me, an adjunct member of the faculty of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. My last Sunday at Saint Nicholas will be August 21, and after that I will go back to the seminary for my last year of education with a much smaller faculty. I give thanks to God for the opportunity to learn from all of my teachers here.

Teachers come in all shapes and sizes. We must remember also that the teaching office is not limited to human beings who have been educated and then certified by the state to teach. Our Lord Jesus invited us to consider many kinds of teachers. In the Sermon on the Mount he listed birds and lilies as good teachers of faith (Matthew 6:26-33). We are reminded by them that God provides for us, and that we need not be anxious about the things we need. Luther said that in the Sermon on the Mount the Lord was “making the birds our schoolmasters and teachers,” and that we should have the wisdom to imitate them. In its trust of God to provide for it, “a little finch, which can neither speak nor read, is his theologian and master in the Scriptures.”

Children can be our teachers as well. “…whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child may not enter it (Mark 10:15).” We learn by their example about humility and trust and dependence on God. Everything children have is a gift from their caretakers. We need reminding that our membership in the Kingdom of God is a gracious gift from God to us and that we receive it like children.

Luther said, “Ah, if only I could pray the way that a dog looks at meat.” Many dogs sit hopefully by the table or nearby when snacks or meals are served, hoping to receive a share of whatever is being served to the human members of the family. Such a hopeful dog sits motionless, watching and waiting, expecting to receive something. If only we could learn to pray with such dedication, hope, and trust!

My dogs, Jackson and Daisy, are great teachers. They teach me about Sabbath keeping and self care. They are never too busy to romp, play or rest. These four footed teachers have the good sense to flop down under the big maple tree in our back yard with a bowl of cool water when they are tired. Too often we humans take what we are doing so seriously that we do not take the time to play, to rest, or to have our faith fed by taking the time to participate in our corporate worship or in private devotions. God gave us the Sabbath to rest, recharge, and to remember the goodness and kindness of God.

Who we are and who we become is in large measure the result of the many teachers we have had. They give us correction, guidance, and encouragement. May God give us the ears to hear and the hearts to receive all the gifts of learning that our many teachers give to us. The pastor I am becoming is, in large measure, the result of your ministry of teaching to me. I give thanks to God for all of my teachers, human and not, those in the past and especially for those I have here right now in Calvert County.

Vicar Patti