Sunday Reflection (March 15, 2020)

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In a spirited debate with a Samaritan woman, Jesus tells us that the place to worship is not as important as worshipping in “spirit and truth” (John 4:3-30; 39-42). We can worship God anywhere, even on White Top Mountain sitting high above the valley below looking into North Carolina, and as you may guess I have been there more than once. Yet, we usually learn about the truth of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ in church buildings throughout the world. No single church or denomination is more privileged than another.

In the spirit of Christ, may we live lives of truth that refuse to allow the prejudices and hatreds of our culture, families, community, and nation determine how we see others. Like Jesus and the Samaritan woman, may we find common ground “in spirit and truth.”

Prayer for the Week (March 8-March 14)

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Let us pray that God move our hearts and wills to follow Christ: Loving God, we thank you for all who walk by faith.
There is always spiritual light for those who wish to see.
As we pause and revere you, stabilize our faith and give us strength. Amen.

(B. D. Prewer)

Sunday Reflection (March 8, 2020)

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To be “born from above” emphasizes a spiritual renewal beyond ourselves from God through the Holy Spirit, and when we are born from above it is may be experienced as being born anew or again (John 3:1-8). We are constantly born anew from above. Do not limit it to a one-time experience.

When we are “born from above” we see the world anew with compassion. The Holy Spirit prompts us to compassionate acts done with sincerity and purity of heart. If you lack compassion: Ask yourself why, and ask God to fill you with divine compassion. May we always be “born from above.”

Sunday Reflection (February 23, 2020)

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The first coming of Jesus Christ was a dawning whose brightness only grows until Christ comes again (2 Peter 1:16-19). This dawning brightness grows in the sense that the message of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ has gone beyond Galilee and Judea unto the ends of the earth, including where you are. This dawning brightness also grows in the sense that God’s love grows in our hearts. Some 1,300 years ago St. Bede said that in comparison with the ungodly, we are the very daylight itself.

That is a heavy responsibility, but take heart and have confidence: The Holy Spirit works through your life and makes you a light to others! Do not believe the lie that God cannot work through you! God does work through you the Holy Spirit makes you an instrument of divine love and compassion in the way of Jesus Christ. May we be persistent in sharing God’s love and compassion with others. May we grow in God’s grace and love.

Prayer for the Week (Feb. 23-Feb. 29)

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Let us pray that the light of Christ shine upon us: Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is wonderful to worship in the presence of your beloved Son. May his radiant face give us light and peace. May sin neither disfigure us further nor divide us. May the light of his transfigured face shine upon all of us and give us courage, so that we become lights to one another until we enter your everlasting light. Amen.

(Claretian Publications)

Sunday Reflection (February 16, 2020)

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Jesus says that using words to put someone down or insult them puts the person speaking the insulting words in danger of judgment from God (Matthew 5:21-22). Although there are legitimate reasons to get angry, there is no legitimate reason to get mean and ugly when we are angry. Jesus is fairly serious about deliberately insulting another person or a group of people.

Targeting a person or a group of people with words designed to denigrate has no place in the Christian faith. We must speak up lest we be caught up in such targeting of others and we may find ourselves to be the targets. Jesus likens name-calling meant to denigrate to murder. When someone is put down and insulted, it is an attempt to destroy that person
and murder their personhood. May we not forget that each person is created in the Image of God. May we not forget that all groups and tribes of people are in the image of God.

Prayer for the Week (Feb. 16-Feb. 22)

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Let us pray for obedience to God: Thank you, Jesus our Savior, for keeping God’s law perfectly for us. Teach us through your Spirit to follow you, and fulfill the law by a life of love. Amen.

(LCA)

Sunday Reflection (February 9, 2020)

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To be salt and light is who we are by God’s grace, and that grace flows from us to others. Although we may have to grit our teeth sharing grace, I hope we do good
as a response God’s grace bestowed upon us . Like salt, we may be invisible to the world at large but collectively we have a powerful influence that glorifies not ourselves, but our heavenly Father.

We, the followers of Christ, have become beacons of light and hope in the midst of a world full of strife and hatred. We do not become beacons of light by tooting own horns. Rather, by our quiet humble presence we have become lights who shine God’s love and compassion in the darkness around us (Matthew 5:13-16).

Prayer for the Week (Feb. 9-Feb. 15)

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Let us pray that we be light to those around us: Faithful God, you have called us to be a light shining in the world. May we reflect the light of Christ, so that people see your love and goodness in our words and actions. We ask this through your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

(LCA)

Prayer for the Week (Feb. 2-Feb. 8)

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Let us pray to God who has revealed the divine kingdom in Christ: God, in Christ, you declared what is blessed and proclaimed that our joy is to be found in your kingdom. Your kingdom honors what the word despises: Weakness, poverty, mourning, mercy, pity, meekness, purity, peace. May Christ’s Church and our lives reveal your kingdom. Amen.

(Lightening from the East)