Deacon of St. John’s Church and Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.
Fr. Reho preaches on Good Friday. Today’s readings are Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 10:16-25 and The Passion According to St. John. You can view those readings and more by viewing our online bulletin by clicking on this link.
The horror and violence inflicted on Jesus showed the depth of human evil but also the ultimate defeat of human power. God’s love, as revealed in Jesus, can never be silence, never be killed, and it is that love that restores humanity.
To take up our cross is to suffer the consequences of faithful living, which may indeed be painful and challenging.
Lent is a time for introspection and self reflection. A time to consider what it means to live a Christian life in a time of change and uncertainty.
Mark seems to be telling us that this is how one follows Jesus: Without all the details; without much of a roadmap; just putting one foot in front of the other and seeing where Jesus takes us.
This beautiful passage from John’s Gospel moves us from the very ‘down-to-earth’ birth narrative of Luke…to the cosmic event that John celebrates so poetically.
Through Him, all the people God loves… will share in a peace that represents wholeness of person and unity with others.
But Advent reminds us that all earthly things, one day, come to an end, and that God is loving, faithful, patient and merciful.
And giving thanks is central to the practice of Christianity. As we celebrate our own abundance, we also recognize our role as stewards of God’s bounty, and we remember that we must be always mindful of the needs of others.
The parable exposes the challenges and risks of faithfulness in a world dominated by power and wealth.