Hello everyone! As we near the end of our church year
(only one more Sunday to go. Advent begins the last
Sunday in November), our lessons focus on "end times." In
our Gospel lesson the disciples call Jesus' attention to the
magnificent Jewish Temple. To be sure, it was one of the
three of four most amazing structures of the age. Jesus
remarks that the day is coming when it will be completely
destroyed.
Naturally, the disciples are shocked and want to know
more. Tell us, they say, when will this take place. Jesus
answers, "the end is near." There is no doubt about it. The
warnings are dire. The tone of today’s texts is ominous. But
the baptized know how to live in the meantime. The baptized
are strengthened for the living of these days in word and
sacrament. The baptized rally around the invitation of the
apostle: “Do not be weary in doing what is right.” This is a
difficult teaching, but the gospel message is clear: God is in
control!
Blessing everybody!
Gospel greetings to everyone! This Sunday's Gospel
reading is from Luke, the 20th chapter. It is a pivotal chapter
that showcases Jesus' authority and wisdom in the face of
opposition. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and
accepting God's messengers, the balance of earthly and
spiritual responsibilities, and the hope of resurrection. This
lesson serves as a reminder for contemporary readers to
trust in Jesus' authority and to live out their faith
authentically. We also look forward to the second coming
of Jesus as we near the end of the church year.
Blessings everybody!
Hello everyone! Right after we moved here, we needed
to go to Roanoke for some reason and I put the address into
my modern handy navigation system. It directed me to
some increasingly poor roads until I came to a narrow dirt
path with branches hanging all over the road. Is this really
the way to Roanoke?, Sue inquired. I assured her that our
expensive GPS must know so I started on the path with tree
branches scratching the side of my car. In about a quarter
mile we came to a sign labeled simply: "End of the Road." I
had to back out a quarter mile through a twisting path! My
dad would have been proud because it was something he
would have done.
This Sunday's theme is "The End of the Road." What is
the "end of the road" for Christians? We will be
remembered after we hit our own end of the road, but as
Christians we remember and celebrate this Sunday that our
"end" is not really the end. We will see and share with our
loved ones again! Our grief has much hope. Let us
remember the saints who have been a part of our lives.
Blessings everyone!