Jeremiah 23:9-15
Psalms 33, 102, 108
Romans 9:1-18
John 6:60-71
“The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
John 6:63b
Jesus came onto this earth to give life to each of us – to bring salvation to each of us – and to send the Spirit to us to bring us joy and peace.
We have just finished Christmas. We have put the gifts up. We have undecorated the tree and the ornaments and lights are put away for safekeeping until later this year. We have cut down on our eating – or at least have every good intention to cut back and loose those extra pounds that were packed on during the Christmas season. All is settled down.
The cycle of our year brings us now to Lent and the anticipation of Easter. Our time forces us to turn inward and to see who we are and what are we really made of – and what we truly believe.
A way to do that is to think about the many gifts God has bestowed on each of us - the gifts of health, family, friends, home, food, and the air that surrounds us on every side. Another way is to reflect on the words that Jesus spoke when he was on this earth. The word love is used time after time. Jesus’ actions speak volumes to us for Jesus’ actions were to express to us clearly that we are loved. Through those words and through the actions, Jesus offers to us life – a life filled with love and an anticipation of love for all of eternity.
Do we believe that? Do we live out our lives on this March 16th as if we believe this? Read the words. Read of Jesus’ actions. And sense life – and sense love.
Fr. John Pitts