Paul never talked about lobbying the Roman senate to get better treatment for the Christians. Paul didn’t incite protests and riots in order to change the atrocities going on in the world. What did Paul say? “Have the mind of the Messiah.”
Philippians (1): Behaving as Citizens in a Secular Society
Paul is saying, “Yes, you live in a broken and backwards world. Yes, it is frustrating. And yes, there doesn’t seem to be much hope that things are going to get better. But, behave as citizens of the gospel. Behave as servants of Jesus Christ, the true Lord!”
“Forgive me just like I forgive others”
What happens when we don’t forgive? Resentment. And the torture we are handed over to is of our own making.
The Ministry of Reconciliation
Reconciliation: How is this not just some more good advice that we could have gotten from any decent psychologist? Jesus isn’t in the business of giving good advice for the sake of good advice. This is good news! Why?
FAITH (4): It Shows When You Pick Up a Cross
It is through a life lived in faith and allegiance to the King that the Kingdom grows. Through our witness, countless people can be inspired to live their lives in service to this King. It is people living their baptism, people living with Christ as their King. It is people who take up their cross daily and follow him.
FAITH (3): “Those be fightin’ words!”
Peter is confessing his allegiance to, his faith in Jesus Christ. Peter has come to realize that Jesus is the true king and emperor of the world, God’s anointed king who has come to overthrow the kingdoms of this world. And that is revolutionary in nature.
FAITH (2): “Something amazing! I guess.”
Faith is what happens when you encounter an exceptional presence, and you recognize this Presence as containing the “answer” you’ve been looking for, and you adhere to this Presence (beg for mercy, for help).
FAITH (1): “You fall asleep next to him?”
Faith, in its most basic form, when we talk about faith—faith is trust. Faith is that very human, very rational, behavior of trusting another; trusting another because you have freely interpreted all of the signs which point to the conclusion that you can trust them.
A Lot of Food, But What’s the Point?
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) – August 2, 2020 St. Mary – Derby, KS Isaiah 55:1-3; Psalm 145:8-9, 15-18; Romans 8:35, 37-39; Matthew 14:13-21 (1) New…… Read more “A Lot of Food, But What’s the Point?”
You Will Be My Witnesses
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses, to the ends of the earth. Jesus is saying that we carry on his mission.
