Trinity X- Luke 19:41-47

The Gospel for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity is from Luke 19:41-47a where our Lord laments the spiritual corruption of Jerusalem and its temple. We should note that the problems of the city and the temple result from false beliefs and values. Both the city and the temple are infected by worldly values. They seek solutions in political and economic activities rather than through faith, morals, and prayer.

As we look at our world, we still see similar problems and similar false solutions. While politics and economics have their uses, they are not the real and ultimate solutions. Like ancient Jerusalem, our deepest needs are for faith in God, real moral standards, and sincere prayer. This is true for individuals, for society, and for the Church. So let us turn from worldly solutions to the religious, moral, and spiritual practices that lead to the true peace that comes from God!

Trinity II- Worldly Hate- I John 3:13

The Epistle and Gospel for the Second Sunday after Trinity contain great theological themes such as love, mercy, and mission. However, this time I would focus on one verse with great practical wisdom for Christians. The selection from the Epistle, 1 John 3: 13 begins "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you." 

Many believers down through the centuries have appreciated the value of John's warning. They have known that the fallen world, sometimes even within the institutional church, opposes and indeed hates the Christian message and those who sincerely seek to live in accordance with the Gospel. Unfortunately, in recent centuries, many western Christians have forgotten this Biblical truth. They have accepted the two assumptions that most human beings are "nice" and that even worldly people are well-disposed toward the Christian message. From a Biblical perspective, such assumptions have never been accurate, and they apply even less to secularized societies that no longer accept generally Christian values. Believers need to be realistic. While we look for the good in others and strive to live peaceably, we must take the fallenness of humanity and the world seriously.

Most Christians prefer to be liked, but Jesus warns His followers repeatedly that He and they must be ready to face worldly hatred. In John 15:18-19, we read,  "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." The early Christians knew and accepted this teaching. Many Christians have become aware of it repeatedly throughout history. In secular and so-called post-Christian societies, we must all learn once more to take this Biblical teaching seriously. Loyalty to Jesus Christ means that we are not of the world, and the world does not react very nicely when rejected. Knowing this, we must be spiritually courageous and faithful!

Trinity IV- Romans 8:18

The Epistle for this Fourth Sunday after Trinity begins with one of many favorite verses. Romans 8:18 says, "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." These sacred words remind us that Christians have a different perspective on earthly life from the perspectives of other human beings. Even in the good times, careful consideration shows that earthly happiness and pleasure are fleeting. Each human individual has his/her times of trial, pain, and suffering. Every culture, nation, or social group has difficult times. A glance at events near or far shows diverse problems, disasters, and threats. Despite many blessings and joys, the realities of life on earth can be very disheartening.

However, as St. Paul also points out, the sufferings of this present time do not have the final word. Christians have faith and hope in Jesus Christ who suffered and died, but rose in glory. Because of Christ, we consider the glory that shall be revealed in us as members of the Body of Christ. Whatever the trials of our personal lives, our family, our particular church, our country, or the general human experience, we abide in Christian hope.

First Sunday in Lent

 In praying the Litany this week, I was struck by a relationship between the temptation Gospel in Matthew 4 and the phrase in the Great Litany on the temptations or "deceits of the world, the flesh and the devil." 
 The Gospel about Christ's Temptation can be viewed in terms of the three temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Although the devil is at work in all the temptations, Christ's first temptation to turn stones into bread is primarily a temptation of the flesh. The second temptation to jump from the Temple to impress people is a temptation of the world. And although the third temptation involves worldly power, it is even more directly about serving the devil.

So, whenever we call to mind our Baptisms or say prayers such as the Litany, there is a connection to our Lord's Temptation. He has overcome the flesh, the world, and the devil for us, and through His grace, we can grow in our resistance to such temptations. Lent is a season for us to increase our awareness and improve our discipline in this spiritual arena.