Evening Prayer 1-24-11

Reading:
Romans 12:14 -13:14

As the body of Christ, the Church and its members have the unique position of bringing the Word of God to those that are in need.  Often the world makes it seem as if there is no hope, well, actually in the world there is really no hope.  This world is fleeting and is temporal.  Same thing with our body, we are so concerned over it and yet so often our body, (the flesh) is what tries to pull us away from God.  But there is hope, and it is found in God's Son, Jesus Christ. 

Because Jesus Christ calls you in Holy Baptism, He gives you His Holy Spirit so that you can walk in newness of life.  We are to put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12), which is Jesus Christ.  We guard ourselves up like a soldier heading off to battle.  We take the Word of God, the Bible that is sharper than any two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), for it is in the words of Holy Scripture that we come to see our Savior for who He is and what He has done.  We hold up the Sacraments as means of God's grace and mercy towards us.  These are our  weapons to help us become victorious.  Holy Baptism is where we die and live to Christ and have our sins forgiven. (Romans 6:1-8)  The Communion, where Jesus comes to us in His Body and Blood to offer Himself to us, to forgive us, strengthen us, and renew us. (Matthew 26:26-29)  The words of Holy Absolution that is spoken by the Pastor over us and if Christ Himself was speaking us.  So that our souls can be quieted by the Good News that we are forgiven and loved by God on account of Jesus Christ alone. (John 20:22-23)

It is when we cast off our works of darkness, that God is able to transform us.  When He does the transforming, we care about our neighbor, we weep with those that weep, we live in harmony with one another, we are humble because we know the gracious gift of God.  We begin to live outside of ourselves and see the needs of others and respond to their need to show the gracious loving mercy of our Father in heaven.  The Anglican Church has what they call a "JOY" offering.  Joy is an acronym for Jesus First, Others Second, Yourself Last.  This is the perspective that we are called to live in as a Christian, to place God and others before ourselves.  May God grant this so that people may see our good works, and glorify our Father in Heaven.  Amen.