Greetings from the "Pastor's Desk." This is an opportunity for me to share some daily thoughts, reflections and meditations with you. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy offering them to you.
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Spiritual Reflections
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I have to admit that I love today's Gospel. Maybe it's the whole "genealogy" thing, but reading the names of Jesus' descendants is fun, but it also establishes a clear connection to those who struggled with faith, to those who succeeded and those who didn't. It reminds us that there are times that we are "worthy" to be called the children of God like so many before us, and that there are times when we've waivered in our fidelity to Him.
Generation after generation, Israel longed for the messaih, the one who would fulfill the prophecies and bring them redemption. Jesus was that long-awaited Messiah. As the celebration of His birth nears, we give thanks and praise to God for loving us so much that He sent His own Son to redeem and save us.
Are we ready to be counted among the long line of those who wait for the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus' return in glory. Like those who preceded Him, sometimes we'll fail and sometimes we'll succeed. The grace we have is that we know the end of the story--God wins! |
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Spiritual Reflections
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"Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" Sometimes I wonder if this is the right question. Perhaps the real question we need to ask ourselves is, "What are we looking for?"
The work of Jesus fulfills all that was spoken of in the prophet Isaiah--the blind see; the mute speak; the deaf hear. This was apparently not enough for the leaders of the people. Do we sit back rather smugly and say that we can recognize all of the signs of God's presence among us or are we looking for the wrong things? Are we looking for a God who will make all of our problems disappear or One who will give us the strength to persevere and remain faithful in the difficulties of life? Are we looking for a God who will liberate us from our persecutors or for One who will give us true peace in our hearts?
Jesus didn't fit the image of a "savior" for His people, but He saved us from our sins. He came, not to release us from oppressors but to free us from the oppression of sin. We can look for another as much as we want, but it is Christ and Him alone who will bring us true peace in the Father's kingdom. |
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Spiritual Reflections
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We are given many chances to decide to do God's will. It is usually easy to say we are going to do what is right, but more difficult to do it and continue to do it. God is not impressed with those who give Him lip service, but do not follow through with their actions. In the end, it is how we live that will matter when we stand before God's throne. |
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Spiritual Reflections
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Time and again, we've heard the call to witness to the presence of Christ in our lives. We are challenged to share the good news of salvation with others with every opportunity that is presented to us. In today's Gospel, Jesus gives us an interesting lesson--for those whose hearts are hard, whose minds are resistant, Jesus did not waste His time in arguments. We may, at times, find ourselves in the same situation--there are those who want nothing to do with hearing the message of salvation. Sometimes the best sharing of our faith is done in silence. |
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Spiritual Reflections
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In the grand scheme of "eternity," weeks, years or centuries mean precious little. God always fulfills His promises, but we, whose perspective is limited by time, usually need the patience and faith to see those promises come to fruition. This is how it was as the world waited for the coming of the Messiah; so it shall be as we await His return in glory. Yes, we "wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ." |
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Spiritual Reflections
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Today's first reading from Isaiah makes everything seem so simple. God teaches us what is good; we are to obey His commandments. He seems so straightforward. The Lord reminds us that if we follow this path of virtue, we, and those who follow after us, will prosper and always be in God's grace. But for anyone who has tried to follow the Lord's way, we know that it's not always easy. God's grace, God's presence in our lives, will help us to do what we need to do to follow Him. |
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