Our lives offer us an opportunity to grow and flourish in the grace of God. However, this chance to be spiritually fruitful lasts until the time when the Lord calls us into eternity, and from that moment there is no turning back.
The Letter of the Ephesians offers a beautiful call to faith which can inspire us in the darkest moments of our lives. May we take these words to heart as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
The Lord speaks of division – even within families – in the Gospel today. Why? Because in the end all of us will have to choose a path in life, either leading us to God or casting us away.
The end of today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke offers a powerful reminder: we are called to live the blessing of our lives to the fullest extent. What’s more, we will be judged, not in comparison to others, but in comparison to the gifts that God has placed within us.
The Lord exhorts the disciples to be ready and prepared. Each day is a precious gift, calling us to be present to the people in our lives as we strive to take care of any unfinished business. That way, when the Master calls, we will be quick to respond.
The prophet Isaiah and Jesus both speak of the servant who suffers for others. Once we recognize the value of life we begin to embrace our suffering with the grace of Christ…whose death and resurrection reveal the depth of love God has for us all.
Jesus offers some key insights regarding what it means to be his witness in the world. What we do matters, and even in our darkest moments we can call upon the Holy Spirit for what we need.
We have been chosen by God to offer our lives for service in the world. Our actions will be unique to our own particular qualities, gifts, talents and opportunities…but when we do so the Lord will take our offering and bless it with power.
As Jesus sends out the seventy-two disciples, he charges them with specific tasks of preaching, healing and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Like those first disciples, we participate in the ministry of Christ every time we use our gifts and talents for the glory of God.
Paul speaks of the “Fruits of the Spirit” in his letter to the Galatians. These nine virtues flourish in our hearts when we are in right relationship with God and one another, and they become powerful signs to guide our actions each and every day.