Sunday April 30, 2017

Epistle: Acts 3: 1-13

1 Now Peter and John went up into the temple at the ninth hour of prayer. 2 And a certain man who was lame from his mother's womb, was carried: whom they laid every day at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, that he might ask alms of them that went into the temple. 3 He, when he had seen Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms. 4 But Peter with John fastening his eyes upon him, said: Look upon us. 5 But he looked earnestly upon them, hoping that he should receive something of them. 6 But Peter said: Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise, and walk. 7 And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up, and forthwith his feet and soles received strength. 8 And he leaping up, stood, and walked, and went in with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 And they knew him, that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him. 11 And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran to them to the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

12 But Peter seeing, made answer to the people: You men of Israel, why wonder you at this? or why look you upon us, as if by our strength or power we had made this man to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Son Jesus, whom you indeed delivered up and denied before the face of Pilate, when he judged he should be released.

Gospel: John 3: 16-24

16 For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by him. 18 He that believes in him is not judged. But he that does not believe, is already judged: because he believes not in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: because the light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the light: for their works were evil. 20 For every one that does evil hates the light, and comes not to the light, that his works may not be reproved. 21 But he that does truth, comes to the light, that his works may be made manifest, because they are done in God.

22 After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea: and there he abode with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Ennon near Salim; because there was much water there; and they came and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into prison.

Psalm 66/67

1 Unto the end, in hymns, a psalm of a canticle for David. 2 May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may he cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us. 3 That we may know Your way upon earth: Your salvation in all nations. 4 Let people confess to You, O God: let all people give praise to You. 5 Let the nations be glad and rejoice: for You judge the people with justice, and direct the nations upon earth. 6 Let the people, O God, confess to You: let all the people give praise to You: 7 the earth has yielded her fruit. May God, our God bless us, 8 may God bless us: and all the ends of the earth fear him.

My Friends,

“Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into”. When I was a child, Laurel and Hardy were a popular comedy act on the big screen. The first line here is a famous catch phrase that Oliver Hardy would say to Stan Laurel every time they got into trouble; the reality was that most of the trouble that they got into was in fact a result of Oliver Hardy’s scheming. The team made a film called “Another Fine Mess”, the media and especially the newspapers took up this title as a caption for many cartoons, using Oliver and Hardy. But in fact, even in this film they never spoke the words “another fine mess”, Oliver Hardy’s catch phrase in every film was always “another nice mess”. So what does this have to do with today’s readings?

This misquoting of comedians applies to Holy Scripture. The Bible is so misquoted that truth is almost unknown today. Fairy tales and Hollywood films have so filled the minds of the people that these things are often quoted as scriptural truth and the wording of actual Scripture is accused of being false if spoken and if shown in writing then the accusation goes on to say that scripture has been changed. Even if the quotes themselves are spoken accurately they are taken out of context and so destroyed and twisted into some kind of nonsensical meaning that it becomes absurd at times. In today’s readings we are talking about the love of God. Is this love used to destroy truth by much of the media and the people today? Even from the pulpit? I will tell you that yes it is.

In our first reading we see Peter and John healing a crippled man, how could this be? The love of the Christ working through these two apostles who were connected to Jesus the Christ through the spiritual bond and love is how it works. This love of the Christ can also work through those who do not truly love the Christ themselves but use His Holy name for financial gain. Because of the great love of Jesus the Christ for the people, there are healings done even through those who do not believe.

We see this clearly on the scripture regarding the Day of Judgment when the people are separated to the left and to the right and those who are put to the left complain, Jesus the Christ says; Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’…

In the Gospel reading we see this love of God the Father come to life when He sends His Only Begotten Son in the flesh to give up His flesh for man. We see this love exemplified in the Son; Jesus the Christ, as He indeed suffers for man, dies, is buried, and rises, defeating sin and death for our sake. What do we read in the Psalm today? We read what the church teaches, confess and praise God for salvation. This is not an invention of the church for the Psalms existed centuries before what is known as the church today although the church has always existed in time in the mind of Almighty God.

Because God loves us He tells us to repent, confess, come back to Him and praise Him. Because of His love for us He will not lie. Love does not lie to us, it tells us the truth. Sin separates us from God, it does not separate us from love, God still loves us even though we sin, but, our sin turns us away from God, this is the separation, we separate ourselves through our sin. We are a witness to the love of God and when we lie to someone who asks an honest question regarding sin so that we do not lose their friendship or so that we do not hurt their feelings, we do them great harm. They will continue in their sin. Often times the answer to the question that is asked is in fact already known to the asker, but they do not want to change from their sin so when asking the question their desire to remain in their sin is simply confirmed by one who claims the Christ but gives a false answer.

Sometimes there may not be an exact answer or we simply may not be sure or know the answer. We need to be honest here as well and then seek the answer from God. Jesus the Christ loved the people, He gave His life for all. He ate with sinners, He walked and talked with them, He was spoken against by the leaders of Israel for this, but read carefully the words; He never lied but always gave the truthful answer when asked. He spoke with love and concern but always the truth was given. We cannot change the truth. We must ask God for the courage to speak truth when asked a question. If the question asked has anything to do with the salvation of someone’s soul. The truth must be given to them. There is no other way.

This my friends is true love for the soul of another human being.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus the Christ be with you throughout this day and the rest of your life. May the Holy Spirit fill us all to overflowing so that everyone in whose path we cross may receive a blessing from our Lord Jesus the Christ.

Blessings

In Christ.