March 15, 2015 Sunday: Lenten Pilgrimage, 4th Sunday Lent B
A Lenten Pilgrimage
Sunday, Fourth week
March 15, 2015
Brothers and sisters: God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved —, raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. Ephesians 2:4-10
St Paul wrote, “God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ --by grace you have been saved…” St. Paul used three beautiful words in that one verse – love, mercy, grace. The word that St. used for love is agape love - that self-sacrificing kind of love -- that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. If we ever ask the question, “how much do you love me Lord”, we only need to look at the crucifix and gaze at our Lord’s out-stretched arms.
Mercy and grace have been described as two facets in the jewel of God’s love. Mercy has the idea of love for the unlovable, the miserable, the afflicted. It also carries an intense desire and ability to do something about it. Mercy says, “look at what you’ve gotten yourself into; I’m going to do what it takes to get you out.” Grace also gives us a glimpse into the heart and mind of God. Grace describes a quality in God that made him willing and eager to save sinners.
Are good works necessary for salvation? No, they are excluded! Are good works necessary for a Christian? Yes, they are expected! God who gave us the gift of salvation also gave us the gifts of time, talents, and treasures that are to be used to his glory. We are also given many opportunities for us to say thank you for our gifts by reaching out and helping someone else. May God open our eyes to see and seize those opportunities! May He forgive us for the times we made excuses not to help!
During Lent we have many opportunities to share the message of God’s love, mercy and grace with those around us. Let us remember how richly God has blessed us and thus look for opportunities to be a blessing to someone else.
Sunday, Fourth week
March 15, 2015
Brothers and sisters: God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved —, raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. Ephesians 2:4-10
St Paul wrote, “God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ --by grace you have been saved…” St. Paul used three beautiful words in that one verse – love, mercy, grace. The word that St. used for love is agape love - that self-sacrificing kind of love -- that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. If we ever ask the question, “how much do you love me Lord”, we only need to look at the crucifix and gaze at our Lord’s out-stretched arms.
Mercy and grace have been described as two facets in the jewel of God’s love. Mercy has the idea of love for the unlovable, the miserable, the afflicted. It also carries an intense desire and ability to do something about it. Mercy says, “look at what you’ve gotten yourself into; I’m going to do what it takes to get you out.” Grace also gives us a glimpse into the heart and mind of God. Grace describes a quality in God that made him willing and eager to save sinners.
Are good works necessary for salvation? No, they are excluded! Are good works necessary for a Christian? Yes, they are expected! God who gave us the gift of salvation also gave us the gifts of time, talents, and treasures that are to be used to his glory. We are also given many opportunities for us to say thank you for our gifts by reaching out and helping someone else. May God open our eyes to see and seize those opportunities! May He forgive us for the times we made excuses not to help!
During Lent we have many opportunities to share the message of God’s love, mercy and grace with those around us. Let us remember how richly God has blessed us and thus look for opportunities to be a blessing to someone else.
