Archive for October, 2024
Posted on: October 27th, 2024 by St. Stephens Downsview
In life’s journey, none of us are immune to suffering and pain. As believers, we are called to approach these challenges with a heart full of faith and perseverance, much like Job or the apostle Paul. In the Book of Job, the man from the land of Uzh stood as a model of blamelessness and fear of God. Even amidst unimaginable suffering, he remained upright, never forsaking his faith. This, dear readers, is the essence of what we must strive for in our own lives.
The Call to Persevere
We are not exempt from trials, whether they come from within our families or our broader communities. Jesus Himself faced persecution, trials, and ultimately, the cross. Our reaction should mirror His: “Father, if it pleases you, let this cup pass over me, but not my will, but your will.” We too must be ready to face the unexpected and seek a godly response.
Job’s Example
Let’s delve into Job’s story. In chapter 1, we meet a man praised for his righteousness. This is the personality we should emulate in times of suffering. Job remained steadfast even when he lost everything, and through this, God eventually restored him, blessing him abundantly.
The trials we face today, whether financial hardship, loss, or persecution, all have an expiration date. It is crucial to stand firm, trusting that the end will bring glory and restoration, much like Job’s.
The Power of Prayer and Community
Prayer is our spiritual weapon. As believers, we must be men and women of prayer, constantly seeking God’s guidance and grace. Our communities can serve as beacons of support, helping us reflect on the stories of perseverance from the Bible. The stories of faithful figures like Jeremiah, Meshach, and Abednego illustrate that perseverance through trials can lead to divine rewards.
Suffering as a Test of Faith
Riches don’t test our faith—suffering does. God tested Abraham not to cause him distress but to strengthen his faith. Today, God might do the same with us. These trials are opportunities for growth, potentially transforming our suffering into stepping stones toward greater faith.
Our Example to the World
Our actions preach louder than our words. The world watches us, the Christians, looking to see how we respond to adversity. This way, our lives become living testaments of faith. We may not read the Bible often, but our actions reflect its teachings to those around us.
The Endurance of Christ
Let us embrace the mind of Christ, who humbled Himself unto death for humanity’s sake. Our endurance, humility, and perseverance in this life pave the way for blessings in the next. The end is near, and there is glory in store for those who faithfully endure.
Concluding Prayer
Let us pray: Lord, guide us through our trials with courage and faith. Strengthen each of us here today, as individuals and as a church community. May Your word bring peace and understanding to our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Posted on: October 21st, 2024 by St. Stephens Downsview
When we think about greatness, it’s often through the lens of societal norms—power, status, wealth. Yet, in the teachings of Jesus, a different path is illuminated, one that challenges these conventional ideas. Let us explore an understanding of greatness through the lens of service, as elucidated in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10, verses 43 to 45.
Understanding Expectations in Baptism
In my conversations with families preparing for baptism, I often delve into the realm of expectations. Many approach baptism with preconceived notions—some see it as a rite of passage, others, a form of spiritual protection akin to a talisman. Few truly grasp the transformative nature of this sacred act.
Baptism is much more than a mere ceremony. It is an invitation from God to enter into a profound relationship with Him—a union with Christ that is unbreakable. Through baptism, we are called to a lifelong journey, a transformation in which we grow closer to God and each other.
Misguided Expectations and Their Consequences
Misguided expectations can lead to confusion and disappointment. Some anticipate a magical transformation, expecting a baptized child to naturally gravitate towards faith, only to find that life’s realities are more complex.
Scripture makes clear what we should expect in our relationship with God: to love Him fully and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This divine relationship, enriched through baptism, promises change—not always comfortable or easy but essential for our spiritual growth.
Service as the Measure of Love
Our journey with God often involves service. In my own life, I’ve encountered both joy and challenge in fulfilling responsibilities. Not everything has come easily, yet it’s in these moments of difficulty that God reminds us of His expectation: that all service is ultimately for Him.
This realization reshapes our expectations—of ourselves, of God, and of our roles as His followers. As Jesus taught Peter, love for Him is demonstrated through service: feeding His sheep, tending to His lands.
The Fallacy of Self-Serving Expectations
The disciples, James and John, illustrate a common misunderstanding of this journey. They sought personal glory, misunderstanding the essence of Jesus’s power and mission. But Jesus corrected them, stressing that true greatness comes from being a servant, a slave to all.
This is a hard lesson for many of us who seek validation and significance. Yet, in God’s kingdom, humility and service define greatness. The path to encountering the living God is paved with obedience and self-denial.
Embracing God’s Transformative Power
Encountering God is not without its challenges. As seen in Job’s journey, we are prompted to put aside our small, human conceptions of God and recognize His infinite wisdom. In this recognition, we find liberation from the misguided expectations that restrict our spiritual growth.
To ask God for a share in His divine life, as we do in baptism, is to embrace transformation. This is a transformation that God, in His grace, knows we need, even when we do not fully comprehend what we are asking.
The Call to Authentic Service
In this life with God, we are blessed with opportunities to serve and love authentically. By redefining our expectations away from societal measures of success, we align closer with God’s intentions for us. Each act of service, each moment of humility, transforms us more into the image of Christ.
In conclusion, may we embrace the call to lay down our lives—the person we think we are or should be—to take up the new life that God freely offers. Let us embark on this continual journey of love, where true greatness is found.
Amen.
Posted on: October 14th, 2024 by St. Stephens Downsview
In a world where headlines often scream of scarcity, rising costs, and economic woes, it’s easy to become ensnared in a narrative that seems almost inescapable. Today, I invite you to pause with me and consider a different perspective—one rooted in the teachings and wisdom of scripture, and more importantly, in the boundless generosity of God.
Reflecting on Scripture
This morning, let’s meditate on the words from Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 6, verses 25 and 32 to 33: Jesus says, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, drink, or wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? It is the Gentiles who strive for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need these things, but strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” These words beckon us to shift our focus from anxiety to faith, from scarcity to abundance.
As we observe Thanksgiving, a time traditionally set aside to be grateful, let us explore the juxtaposition between the pervasive feeling of scarcity and the divine truth of abundance. For the past few years, many have felt the pinch of rising costs—groceries, rent, fuel—all seem to surge relentlessly. We’ve grown accustomed to hearing explanations that boil down to supply chain issues or economic demands.
The Reality Behind Rising Costs
However, if you pay close attention, you’ll notice an unsettling trend: major grocery store chains and investment capitalists continue to post record profits despite the economic strain felt by many. This paints a picture not just of supply and demand, but of greed—greed that distorts the prices we pay for necessities like food and shelter.
This greed is evident in other aspects of our lives too—be it fuel prices, homeownership, or saving for future needs. We’re tangled within an economic web designed to cause fear that we might not have enough. Yet, Jesus’ teaching calls us to a different understanding, one that challenges the prevailing mindset.
Living in God’s World
Jesus was not merely offering comforting words but revealing a significant truth: this is God’s world, and He has abundantly provided for all our needs. The Old Testament lesson from Joel echoes this, reminding us of God’s ability to restore and provide generously.
We often forget how to share, succumbing to the belief that the world’s resources are finite. But the world manipulates this fear of scarcity to drive consumption. The world’s markets thrive on convincing you that there’s never enough, and that you’re merely a consumer whose identity is defined by possessions.
Recognizing and Embracing Abundance
As people of God, we’re called to reflect on whether we’re living according to the world’s scarcity lie or God’s abundance truth. Recognizing that we’ve all been swayed by the scarcity narrative is the first step toward liberation from its burden. This acknowledgment allows us to lean into God’s grace and live more freely.
Our understanding of abundance affects how we view our finances, hold onto possessions, and relate to others. Believing that we need to hoard and protect our resources only burdens us with more anxiety and distance from God’s purpose.
Striving for God’s Kingdom
God encourages us to focus not on what we think we need, but on His kingdom and righteousness. By overly focusing on material needs, we invite anxiety into our hearts and miss witnessing God’s providence in our lives. When we shift our attention towards God’s kingdom, we find true freedom and joy, experiencing His provision in profound ways.
Generosity, self-giving, and gratitude are acts of worship and recognition of the God who continuously provides for us. Let us not waste our lives chasing after what we cannot take with us, but instead, seek a life rich in connection, meaning, and faith.
Conclusion
As we strive for God’s kingdom, let us remember that our Heavenly Father knows our needs. He invites us to trust in His abundance, putting aside our fears and embracing the life He offers. Seek first His kingdom, and the rest will follow.
Posted on: October 6th, 2024 by St. Stephens Downsview
This morning, I want to share with you some profound insights from the gospel of Mark, chapter 10. In this passage, Jesus teaches the importance of a childlike receptivity to the kingdom of God. There, Mark tells us that Jesus was indignant when people tried to stop little children from coming to him, saying, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.”
This powerful message is not merely about children but about the fundamental nature of faith. Jesus emphasizes that to enter the kingdom of God, one must receive it with the trust and openness of a little child. This passage echoes the opening chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans, highlighting the guilt of humanity and our tendency to suppress the truth. As humans, we often choose lies over the truth, which is a phenomenon that started as far back as the Garden of Eden.
The Human Tendency to Suppress the Truth
In Romans 1:18-25, Paul writes about how people suppress the truth by exchanging it for a lie. This passage is a sobering reminder of how humanity often ignores the truth that has been clearly revealed, choosing instead to follow falsehoods. This was true in ancient times and remains so today. It’s evident when we look around at various forms of prejudice and racism in our world. Our biases, based on untruths or half-truths, lead us to harden our hearts. As Webster’s dictionary defines, hardening of the heart is when we stop having kind or friendly feelings for someone.
Recognizing and Softening Hardened Hearts
The account of the Grinch who stole Christmas serves as a poignant illustration of what a hardened heart looks like. His heart becoming colder and smaller is symbolic of what happens when we harbor unkind feelings. In our lives, when someone wrongs us, and we refuse to forgive, we too allow our hearts to grow cold, just as the Grinch did. However, particularly in matters of faith and obedience to God, this hardening can be devastating.
Embracing a Childlike Faith
In today’s gospel, Jesus addresses this issue when confronted by Pharisees trying to test him on the question of divorce. The Pharisees, with their hardened hearts, sought to trap Jesus rather than seek genuine answers. Jesus points out that Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of people’s hearts, reflecting their failure to live with integrity and uphold the sanctity of marriage.
Children, on the other hand, exhibit a natural trust and faith, believing readily when told something. Jesus highlights this quality as essential for those who wish to enter the kingdom of God. Just as children easily trust in their parents, we are invited to trust in God’s will and intentions for our lives.
The Call to Humility and Trust
No matter our age, we must humble ourselves, recognize our profound need for God, and trust Him with childlike faith. This trust leads us to true joy and freedom under God’s gracious rule. A life of authentic faith spares us the burdens of self-reliance. Instead, it liberates us, as we lean on God’s strength and provisions.
Guarding Against Unbelief
Today, I urge you to guard your hearts against unbelief. Unbelief often stems from choosing to believe lies we’re comfortable with, rather than the truths that challenge and liberate us. The world may tempt us with arguments and promises that appear fulfilling, but these are often half-truths entwined with deceit.
To truly dwell in God’s peace and enter His kingdom, let us adopt a posture of openness and humility, testing everything against the truth revealed through Christ, the living word. By doing so, we, like those children brought to Jesus, can come to Him, believe in Him, and in turn, be richly blessed by His presence in our lives.
So, friends, let us not harden our hearts. Instead, come to God just as you are, holding nothing back. May we, as children of God, embrace our need for Him and receive His touch and blessing. Amen.
