The word of the day is “alienated.” In our reading of Colossians 1:18-23, St. Paul proclaims that Christ has “made peace through the blood of His cross” (vs.20). Why did it take the suffering of the Cross for the Father to “reconcile all things to himself”? Why couldn’t some sweet words of His lovingkindness have accomplished it? Why couldn’t our Heavenly Father have declared his unmerited forgiveness of sinners without such the shedding of the Lord’s blood? Theologians have wrestled with these questions throughout the centuries. In our reading, St. Paul refers to the “human condition” to give one answer. He states, “you… were once were alienated and enemies [of God] in your mind by wicked works…” (vs. 21). Paul…
The word of the day is “blameless.” In our reading of 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, St. Paul prays that God would enable his congregation at Thessalonica to grow in their love for one another. He writes, “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you” (vs. 12). He adds the prayer that the result of this growth would be that God may “establish their hearts, blameless in holiness…” (vs. 13). To be found without fault before God is the goal that our reading suggests as we begin our Nativity Fast. We are setting our sights on the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all the saints” …
The word of the day is “blameless.” In our reading of 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, St. Paul prays that God would enable his congregation at Thessalonica to grow in their love for one another. He writes, “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you” (vs. 12). He adds the prayer that the result of this growth would be that God may “establish their hearts, blameless in holiness…” (vs. 13). To be found without fault before God is the goal that our reading suggests as we begin our Nativity Fast. We are setting our sights on the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all the saints”…