Luke 14:5-6

Then he said to them, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer his question.

Jesus had just healed a man in front of the Pharisees, the religious leaders, on the sabbath day. This broke the Jewish law, which banned any sort of work on the day of rest. However, Jesus tells them that Love wins out over the law. The Pharisees…and many people today…are stuck in an “either-or” mind. Either you keep the law and are in…or you don’t and are out. Jesus is saying we need a “both-and” mind. I both keep the law and break it when Love says so. Following the rules can make some one “right” but also heartless. Compassion and forgiveness require a transformed heart.

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

St. Paul at one time was a persecutor of Christians and most certainly was connected to their deaths. He experienced a total change through the grace of God. His life became an amazing, inspirational adventure that continues to touch millions and millions of people. How do you account for such a change? St. Paul experienced the overwhelming Love of God in Christ. What St. Paul learned was that NOTHING…no matter what you’ve done…can separate you from the love of God in Christ! That is Good News! If you want to live an amazing, inspirational adventure…start following Christ.

Ephesians 2:19

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God…

St. Paul writes that we are all one body in Christ. It’s our job to make that a reality…not only in our community but the whole world. The “body of Christ” extends past all borders and boundaries to all people. How can I put myself out of my comfort zone today to be with someone who is not in my crowd? How can I break down walls of division to be in solidarity with someone “different” from me? How can I make the Body of Christ real?

Luke 13:18-19

Then he said, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and ‘the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.’”

Jesus again is pointing us to building the kingdom of God in the here and now…and not to wait for its fulfillment in some future time. How can each of us plant a seed of forgiveness, mercy and compassion this very day? We may not see the end result…but that tiny seed may one day grow into something beautiful.

Romans 8:16-17

The Spirit itself bears witness with your spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

You and I are children of God…and heirs of God…”joint heirs with Christ.” That is Good News! But St. Paul also tells us that this is “if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” When the unconditional love and compassion of God became flesh in Jesus, those with the wealth and power opposed Him. He showed us true unconditional love and compassion…even when He was rejected and executed. We are meant to show this same unconditional love and compassion to the world. Be assured that through the hardships and suffering you encounter you will be transformed! Life is a series of trials…and resurrections. If we cling to Jesus…New Life will always result!

Romans 7:19

For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.

St. Paul himself tells us of his ongoing inner conflict. It’s part of our package…this struggle between what appears positive and what appears negative. Why not turn this inner struggle over to God? It is not a “worthiness” contest where we achieve or merit more of God’s love! St. Paul’s conversion came by the total grace of God. Did it ever occur to you that God wants to be with you in your inner turmoil? In Romans 7:24-25 St. Paul goes on to write, “Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus has already shown you that God is willing to go to any length to deliver you. The meaning of the word “Jesus” is “Yahweh saves.” This is truly Good News!

Luke 12:51

“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”

Whoa…I thought Jesus was the “Prince of Peace“? He is! But Jesus knew that calling everyone to extend unconditional love and peace to all would not sit well with the people who held all the power. That would mean they would have to give up their “power positions” and be with the people “under them.” Being a follower of Jesus is being for building God’s kingdom here…a place of peace, love and compassion. But it will also get you in trouble with those in power…and will cause division. It got Jesus nailed to a cross. Can we respond to this division as Jesus did…with forgiveness?

Psalm 124:8

Our help is the name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

The God who made the galaxies…and you…holds it all together. This same God became human to share in our joys and sorrows and to show us the way of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion…even hanging on a cross to make the ultimate act of mercy: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” Whatever it is that is causing you pain and uncertainty right now…it may make no logical sense. Call on the maker of heaven and earth…who is as close to you as your next breath.

Psalm 40:7

Sacrifice and offering you do not want; but ears open to obedience you gave me.

You are already completely loved by God. St. Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:4 that God “chose us in him (Jesus), before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.” God chose you “before the foundation of the world“! Maybe instead of spending our time trying to prove ourselves worthy of God’s love…we would do better by spending time with our Creator in silence with open ears so we could hear just how God wants to touch the world through us.

“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” 

Jesus tells the parable of the “Rich Fool”…the man who builds bigger barns to store a bountiful harvest of grain and other goods for himself. That very night, however, the man would die. Are we living to collect possessions? What possessions are we so “attached” to that we lose sight of others? Are we living to build our kingdom…or God’s kingdom?