Confidence in calamity
Because of Christ, we have confidence in God’s presence, we hold firmly to the hope we have because it is a sure hope, and that meeting together as God’s people is critical as we daily live out our faith.
Less is more
Our world says more is more. Our culture says more is more. Churches can say more is more. It’s pretty hard to swim against such a strong tide, yet that is exactly what Jesus calls us to today. He says: less is more.
Living faith
God produces faith in us by His Holy Spirit through the specific means of Word and the sacraments. That faith, just like anything that is living, needs to be sustained and kept alive. Thankfully for us, the same Spirit that produces faith also sustains it.
Real religion
Today, we begin a five-week stretch in the Book of James. His letter, written to Gentile Christians scattered all around the Middle East, addresses some things that are very relevant for us even today: religion, who God is, and who we are.
Walk this way
Paul points out to us that we should walk carefully because the days are evil, that understanding the Lord’s will for us will help us to walk on the right path, and that being filled with the Spirit will influence our walk of life in Christ.
Labour pains
When St Paul describes what it means to be a Christian person, He imagines that we are in a time of patient waiting. We find ourselves in the most peaceful, clean, quiet place you can think of—a birthing suite.
Stick to His plan
All the apostles wanted was a quick fix—a political saviour who would restore Israel to its former glory. We aren't so different when we hope for instant solutions in the Church or in our personal lives. Christ calls His apostles (along with us) to a different way—a way of faith and witnessing.
Faith in song
On Palm Sunday, it wasn’t the people’s genius to use the psalms that made their praise meaningful. It is the Holy Spirit that causes the word of Christ to dwell in each of us and inspires us to make melody to him.
Why do you believe in Jesus?
Belief in Jesus is no longer a given. Why do we believe in Jesus? This is a foundational question that each of us should be able to answer. Our gospel reading provides some direction as we consider this simple, yet challenging question.
Hope, inheritance, and power
I’m sure we can all agree that unity is a good thing to strive for in any context, but especially the church, but we’re historically terrible at maintaining it. It is faith in Christ that truly unites the church and gives us hope.