There was a song in the 1990s that raised a profound question: “What If God Was One of Us?” The one thing that differentiates Christianity from Judaism and Islam is that we believe that God, indeed, did become one of us in Jesus Christ. The transcendent, hidden God is more fully revealed in Jesus of Nazareth […]
Let us pray with joy and hope as we celebrate the dawning of God’s Word in Jesus Christ: God, you have wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and still more wonderfully restored it. Grant that we share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity. Through Christ who eternally […]
Let us pray that people recognize Christ within us and among us: Lord of hope and joy, through the Holy Spirit you are near to us: May it become visible that Christ lives within us and among us when we are near to one another and bring hope and justice to the world, especially to […]
No doubt, like John the Baptist, we may wonder when that purging judgment will come (Matthew 11:2-6). I do admit that it is easier to wish that all those other evil people be purged than we ourselves be purged. Nevertheless, rather than violence, retribution, and judgment, the inauguration of God’s kingdom is about healing and […]
Happy Advent “you brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Soothing words from John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-12). John challenges us to change our attitude and way of life. True repentance produces noticeable results in our dealings with others. I am convinced that our spiritual lives are one of […]
Let us pray that we anticipate the coming of Jesus our Savior: God our Father, you sent your Messiah into our world with the power of love and compassion. May all your people accept him in faith so that Christ be birthed and grow within us and among us. May your Church faithful to the […]
If the Lord came today, would you be diligently working (Matthew 24:36-44)? We look for the Lord’s return, but while looking may we not neglect to do as much good as we can while we are here. Paul (Romans 13:11-14) encourages us to be prepared by “putting on the Lord Jesus Christ!” The Holy Spirit […]
Let us pray that we bring Christ’s light to others: Lord God, your Son, Jesus Christ came as God with a human face. Lead us to create with you a love and justice that reflects your light in a dark world, and until that day may the Holy Spirit inspire and guide us to lead […]
Let us pray that all God’s people become more like Christ our King: God our Father, lover of people, we recognize our King crowned with thorns and enthroned on a cross. This King is our leader without an army or earthly might. Like him, may we choose love and compassion as our only power and […]
Jesus established a kingdom not one based upon retaliation, smashing the competition, arrogance, or militarily defeating the enemy. Jesus established a kingdom based on humility, truth, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and love (Luke 23:33-38). This was a type of kingdom no one expected, and a type of kingdom with which we have trouble establishing. In the […]
