I have a favourite quip that goes, A body under zero stress is by definition dead.
Jas 2:17 Faith that doesn't lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!
Jas 2:26 Anyone who doesn't breathe is dead, and faith that doesn't do anything is just as dead!
There's a paradox here. One cannot buy one's way into the Kingdom of God nor can one earn one's way there by good works, but our faith will be manifest in our actions. Nothing can separate us from the love of God but there is a corollary, nothing can hide us from God's all-seeing presence. His spy-network put's Obama's to shame. The God of the OT is presented in a fashion not unlike Santa Claus who knows when you've been bad or good but there's more at stake here than presents under a tree.
The Psalm reminds us of our mortality and exhorts us that we need care for those less fortunate.
The Epistle enumerates the accomplishments of those who by faith moved mountains. Christ's faith in his mission here on earth led to the Cross and through it to eternal life.
The Jesus presented in today's Gospel is not the Jesus meek and mild of our childhood Gospel Hymns. This 'man' has become fully self-aware and realizes what awaits him when he reaches Jerusalem. He is speaking in hyperbolic apocalytic language. The path he is taking leads to the cross and the grave.
The faith presented here is not one of comfort and rest but a call to action. It does not bring salvation and release but stress and tension. There is no comfortable pew here, this message does not bring peace but division. We are called to examine our actions to ensure that they promote the Kingdom of God rather than preserve our sense of entitlement and privilege.
If our faith does not create some stress in our lives then it may be dead.
The Good News here presented is about as hard-hitting as it gets. If this makes you uncomfortable be warned there is more to come.
Jas 2:17 Faith that doesn't lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!
Jas 2:26 Anyone who doesn't breathe is dead, and faith that doesn't do anything is just as dead!
There's a paradox here. One cannot buy one's way into the Kingdom of God nor can one earn one's way there by good works, but our faith will be manifest in our actions. Nothing can separate us from the love of God but there is a corollary, nothing can hide us from God's all-seeing presence. His spy-network put's Obama's to shame. The God of the OT is presented in a fashion not unlike Santa Claus who knows when you've been bad or good but there's more at stake here than presents under a tree.
The Psalm reminds us of our mortality and exhorts us that we need care for those less fortunate.
The Epistle enumerates the accomplishments of those who by faith moved mountains. Christ's faith in his mission here on earth led to the Cross and through it to eternal life.
The Jesus presented in today's Gospel is not the Jesus meek and mild of our childhood Gospel Hymns. This 'man' has become fully self-aware and realizes what awaits him when he reaches Jerusalem. He is speaking in hyperbolic apocalytic language. The path he is taking leads to the cross and the grave.
The faith presented here is not one of comfort and rest but a call to action. It does not bring salvation and release but stress and tension. There is no comfortable pew here, this message does not bring peace but division. We are called to examine our actions to ensure that they promote the Kingdom of God rather than preserve our sense of entitlement and privilege.
If our faith does not create some stress in our lives then it may be dead.
The Good News here presented is about as hard-hitting as it gets. If this makes you uncomfortable be warned there is more to come.
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