The word of the day is “new.” In our reading of Galatians 6:11-18, St. Paul dismisses both “circumcision” that would identify one as a Jew and “uncircumcision” that would identify one as a Gentile.  He writes, “ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation” (vs. 15).  Various versions read that neither one of these marks of identity “avails for nothing” (NKJV), “means anything” (Berean Bible), “counts for anything” (NET Bible), or “is of any importance” (Weymouth New Testament) or “matters” (Good News Translation). What Matters Yet the Greek term assigns even less significance to these outward signs.  The original language says that neither “circumcision” nor “uncircumcision”  “is” anything (vs. 15).  The only thing…
Christ is Risen! The word of the day is “wonders.” Considering all that is going on in our world these days, we know what it means to say, “The world is turned upside down!” But the upset of our world during these days is nothing compared to what happened when the Lord Jesus Christ died and rose again. But now in our reading of Acts 2:14-21, Peter speaks of even more wonders, the signs of God’s power that accompanied the descent of the Holy Spirit.  He quotes from the Prophet Joel, “I will pour out my Spirit in those days and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath, blood and fire…
The word of the day is “new.” In our reading of Galatians 6:11-18, St. Paul dismisses both “circumcision” that would identify one as a Jew and “uncircumcision” that would identify one as a Gentile. He writes, “ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation” (vs. 15). Various versions say that neither one of these marks of identity “avails for nothing” (NKJV), “means anything” (Berean Bible), “counts for anything” (NET Bible), “is of any importance” (Weymouth New Testament) or “matters” (Good News Translation). What Matters Yet the Greek term assigns even less significance to these outward signs. The original language says that neither “circumcision” nor “uncircumcision”  “is” anything (vs. 15). The only thing that…
Christ is Risen! The word of the day is “wonders.” As the current pandemic crisis continues, we are experiencing what it means to say, “The world is turned upside down!” But the upset of our world during these days is nothing compared to the effect of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Today in our reading of Acts 2:14-21, Peter speaks of the wonders that accompanied the descent of the Holy Spirit.  He quotes from the Prophet Joel, “I will pour out my Spirit in those days and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath, blood and fire and vapor of smoke” (OSB vs. 18-19). The Wonder of…
The word of the day is “new.” In our reading of Galatians 6:11-18, St. Paul dismisses both “circumcision” that would identify one as a Jew and “uncircumcision” that would identify one as a Gentile. He writes, “ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation” (vs. 15). Various versions say that neither one of these marks of identity “avails for nothing” (NKJV), “means anything” (Berean Bible), “counts for anything” (NET Bible), “is of any importance” (Weymouth New Testament) or “matters” (Good News Translation). What Matters Yet the Greek term assigns even less significance to these outward signs. The original language says that neither “circumcision” nor “uncircumcision”  “is” anything (vs. 15). The only thing that…