Sunday September 24, 2017

Epistle: Philippians 1: 12-20

Gospel: Luke 5: 27-32

Psalm: Psalm 102/103

Friends,

People say that the Lord works in mysterious ways. This is in fact truer than many realize. In today’s epistle we see that the Apostle St. Paul is writing while in chains. While imprisonment was meant to stop his preaching it only allowed him to continue and along with his continuing while in chains others received courage to begin preaching as well as others continuing their own preaching. Some preach the gospel out of love for Jesus and the preaching of the gospel while others preach the gospel out of envy and contention not from sincerity but under the idea that their preaching will only infuriate the authorities even more against Paul. But what does Paul think about this? His heart is glad about it, he rejoices in this, if those who are preaching out of contention are preaching the truth then in fact the truth is still being preached which continues to spread the true gospel.

In today’s gospel we see that Jesus has called a publican, a tax collector, a position that was much hated by most Jews and considered these people to be great sinners. Yet Jesus calls this man to follow Him. So the man does, we can see that we cannot ever judge the heart of any one person by this example. We do not know at any time who will hear and take the word to heart and who will not hear and take the word to heart. We are not the ones who decide this. We preach the word for al to hear but as Paul says to the Corinthians; I give you milk still because you are not yet ready for meat. We are told to not cast our pearls before the swine. This does not mean that we do not simply preach the truth to all, but there is meaning in depth here; in the Eucharist or Holy Communion, in the partaking of the Body and Blood we need to be careful. Those who hear but do not understand, those who refuse to believe the truth as in the fact that Jesus was indeed the Word of God in the flesh, true God of true God, begotten not made, has no part in the Body and Blood. They participate to their own downfall. These pearls we do not cast before the swine who are those in this saying are the ones who preach that Jesus is not God from God.

So in today’s Psalm we see that we are to bless the Lord in all things with all that we have, our very being is to bless the Lord. Regardless of our circumstances we are to bless the Lord. Paul blessed the Lord and continued preaching and serving even though in persecution, chains, and in prison. What is our excuse today? The world continues to degenerate, spiraling downhill and going out of control. How many will believe or who will believe? We do not know these answers. We know only this; in living out our lives here we are to be examples of the love of Almighty God. When the opportunity is there we are to speak on the saving grace of our Lord Jesus the Christ. Back biting in the Body of Christ is not acceptable. It is a disgrace and needs to stop. Love for humanity is the only way.

If one does not have love for the soul of mankind and the desire that all come to the truth than one does not have Christ in them fully.

Little children, love one another; because this is our Lord’s command and if you fulfill this, nothing else is needed. Through love and because of love we will follow all of the commandments that we have been given. They are written on our hearts by the hand of Almighty God. We simply need to see them within us and follow.

Remember; if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

In Christ.