Sunday Reflection (July 30, 2023)

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Matthew 13:44-46 asks this question in a parable: What’s important to you? If you do not know, consider where you spend your time, your money, and your thoughts; then you will be more aware of what’s important to you. Where does establishing God’s kingdom fit into your life and choices? I ask myself the same also. By the way, we do not have to die to begin experiencing and establishing God’s kingdom.
This kingdom does not come about through weapons and wars, rather it comes about through our expressions and acts of love, mercy, and kindness. It comes about through forgiveness with the goal of being reconciled with one another as God has reconciled us.  We, Christ’s Church, show the world what God’s kingdom is like by how we live and treat others. Do our works and way of life testify that God’s kingdom is important to us? Unfortunately, sometimes we neglect “kingdom values” and allow things of lesser value to thwart the kingdom of God. Have you ever done that? (I have)

Prayer for the Week (July 30-August 5, 2023)

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Let us pray for the faith to recognize God’s presence in our world: God our Father, open our eyes to see your hand at work in the splendor of creation, in the beauty of human life. Touched by our hand our world is holy. May we cherish the gifts that surround us, to share your blessings with others, and to experience the joy of life in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
                                                              (Sunday Missal)

                                   

                         

Devotion July 26, 2023

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Sunday Reflection (July 23, 2023)

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A person may desire a Church with mostly perfect people, but the Church is made up of broken, fallen people: Yes, people like you and me. The beauty of it is that God gracefully accepts us. May we gracefully accept one another and resist the urge to purge the Church and the world before God does.

The final judgment belongs to God and God alone. I am thankful for that. After all, who among us would want the person that dislikes us most to be our final judge? If God is merciful with us, who is to say God is not merciful with others? The Psalmist (25:7) says, “Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord! (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week (July 23-July 29, 2023)

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Let us pray to God our Father for discerning hearts: Lord God, our Father, our heart remains restless until it has discovered the peace you offer us in your Son Jesus Christ.  May we not put our trust and joy in brittle, perishable things, but in your Son, his Good News, and the kingdom he came to build among us. May we be receptive to your calling with an attentive and wise heart.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

                                   

                         

Sunday Sermon July 23, 2023

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Devotion July 19, 2023

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Devotion July 18, 2023

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Sunday Sermon July 16, 2023

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Sunday Reflection (July 16, 2023)

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Despite our not being receptive to God’s Word revealed in Jesus Christ, God still casts God’s truth and love everywhere. Regrettably, we often miss it because we do not spiritually cultivate our hearts and minds (Matthew 13:18-23). Through the Holy Spirit we hear, understand, and respond to the truth and love of God.

God has chosen the Church, and planted God’s Word revealed in Jesus Christ within us and among us. When God’s truth and love become a greater part of our lives, we plant the seeds of God’s truth and love.  It may fall on hard or fertile soil. Who knows when a person will be receptive and respond and follow the way of Christ because we have made the way of Christ our way of life?