Reasons for rejoicing

Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord by Lillian Delevoryas

The seven-week Resurrection season was given to the Church long ago. That was done that we might hear, every year, the glorious reasons we have for rejoicing,,,,For more, click on the title above.

Three special years following our beautiful Shepherd

Good Shepherd by Cláudio Pastro

On this Sunday long ago named, Misericordias Domini, “Of the mercy of the Lord,” (which is how the Latin version of the Introit may be translated) God has gathered us to behold the mercy He has continued to give us out of His Word and Sacraments. Today, we in God’s fold in this location are blessed to celebrate three special years of following our Beautiful Shepherd… For more, click on the title above.

Trembling and Bewilderment

Mary Magdalene and the Holy Women at the Tomb by James Tissot

This beautiful morning as we again celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus the Christ, we have heard of His Body no longer occupying a new tomb in which no one else had ever been laid. That a couple of His disciples had borrowed to place His Body in after He died on a cross. This account came to us from the Evangelist Mark’s record. He, apparently writing the account of St. Peter as many theologians argue (and there is really no problem with that understanding), provided a very brief account of the events of the first Resurrection Sunday….For more, click on the title above.

Jesus finished all God’s just demands, for you

Christ Crucified by Svitozar Nenyuk

Jesus, in the Gospel reading for today, speaks one Word, τετέλεσται [Tetelestai] (“it is finished!”). This He does before voluntarily handing over the Spirit. With one Koine (common) Greek Word, Jesus declared that all the Scripture that had prophesied of the Christ to that point in time had been completed. That means that Jesus finished all God’s just demands, for you….For more, click on the title above.

The Master who still serves!

Jesus washing the feet of his disciple by Bernardo Ramonfaur

On this Maundy Thursday, we are in what we in this place call, “the year of the Gospel.” From that, we have heard of Jesus, the Master Who still serves His servants. We have heard of Him washing His disciples. In that, He reveals Himself to be the Lord and Teacher Who wills to serve His followers by cleansing them. From that, we can learn that He Who serves His people desires His people to serve one another….For more, click on the title above.

The King who continues to come in the Name of the Lord

Hosanna by Laura James

Holy Week traditionally has begun with Processionals such as today’s. Such Holy Week Palm Processionals were drawn by the faithful from Christian schools. They moved them into the Lord’s Services back in the high middle ages. Processionals served to remind those who bear God’s Name that the Day of Christ’s Triumphal entry into Jerusalem began to publicly, outwardly, reveal the Truth of His Kingdom and how it was to come into the world….For more, click on the title above.

Gentiles’ confessions of Christ: The Ethiopian Eunuch

As you had opportunity to hear last week, the Wednesdays of the 40 days of Lent this year we have been hearing from the Scriptures of Gentile confessions of Christ. During the last few weeks, you heard of the good confession made by a woman at a well; a jailer in Philippi; and an exorcized demoniac. Today, you are hearing of the good confession, and its result, from an Ethiopian eunuch. Next week, you will hear, God-willing, of the powerful confession of a Centurion made from the foot of Jesus’ cross. All of these occurred on account of Jesus displaying His life into death concern for the salvation of all people….For more, click on the title above.

Rejoicing in the midst of a penitential season

Jesus Multiplies the Loaves from the Jesus Mafa project, Cameroon

As part of that which many of you have learned, this Sunday has historically been called, Laetare. That is the first word of the Latin language Introit Psalm. It is one which is usually rendered in English, Rejoice!
Therefore, in the form of a “Little Easter,” we begin another week of rejoicing in the midst of a penitential season. That serves to let us take a breath in our deeper contemplation of our sins and, from that, our need for the Savior. It also points us to the “Big Easter,” that is coming. It is on the journey to that through which the Church Calendar has just passed the half-way point. …For more, click on the title above.