While institutional history is chequered, and the future unclear, life continues… what’s a community to do? Release past drama… Focus on God… Embrace service that transforms both those helped and the helper…
“Forget what lies behind” and press forward toward God’s call (Philippians 3).
Though the church’s history in providing schooling is complex in colonial contexts, communities of faith can instill habits of steadfastness and consistency, grounded not in our own capacity but in Jesus Christ. God can bring unexpected good from human intentions.
Despite the undeniable abuses of church and state, we celebrate today, education that is a gift meant to uplift others: The Methodist Girls Highschool in Freetowns, Sierra Leone.
As I stood before my friends and fellow community members, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. Ms. Johnson’s introduction was short, sweet, and to the point, but it also prompted me to reflect on this incredible opportunity to stand here and share my thoughts with you. At times, I even wondered if she was describing me because, although I’m not the tallest, I might be the sweetest. Nevertheless, it is a privilege to be here today, and I hope that what I have to share resonates with you all.
A Gathering of Thanksgiving and Faith
This afternoon, as we gather, I ask us to bow our heads in prayer for all that has been done, all that is currently happening, and for the future that lies ahead. The words from the letter of Paul to the Philippians echo this sentiment: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. We gather here not just for worship or thanksgiving but to celebrate the achievements within our community. It’s a pleasure to witness familiar and new faces alike, all contributing to this family-like environment, much like my own experiences growing up in a Methodist school in The Bahamas.
The Unintended Grace of Education
Education holds a complex history, especially when viewed through the lens of colonialism. Despite its origins in promoting social control and maintaining the status quo, it evolved into something far more. Those early missionaries couldn’t foresee the unintended yet profound impacts that education would have on future generations. Today, you are doctors, lawyers, engineers, and professionals thanks to this education. And though education wasn’t always provided with the purest of intentions, God’s grace transformed it into a vehicle for unexpected opportunities and growth.
Faith: More Than a Personal Capacity
Moving forward in faith is the theme of our gathering today. C.S. Lewis poignantly described faith as holding onto what reason once accepted, despite changing moods. Faith isn’t merely a badge we wear but a deeply empowering force that compels us to rise above the day’s challenges. Our journey in faith is less about us and more about who God is and what He can accomplish through us. A retired Bishop I respect spoke of faith as a window—its size doesn’t matter, but rather its direction. Our belief, much like a window, should face the right direction, focused on God.
Pressing Forward Despite Challenges
Our journey is never without difficulties. Organizational challenges, personal doubts, and the weight of past struggles can sometimes cloud our path. Yet, as Paul wisely advised, we must press on, forgetting what lies behind. The focus should always remain on God, who commands our faith. The work we do, both outwardly and internally, is part of this journey, intended not just for personal reward but for the benefit of those who will come after us.
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Reflecting on the path ahead, we may not always have clarity. Anyone with young children knows the excitement of a looming trip—a sensation we can liken to our spiritual journey. Sometimes God reveals only enough to encourage a few steps forward. Trusting in him and in his plans for us requires walking by faith, not by sight. Our efforts today, whether seen or unseen, create pathways for future generations—an enduring legacy only God comprehends.
In closing, consider those who will benefit from your efforts long after you are gone. They may not grasp the full impact now, but God knows every contribution you make. For all these things, and more, we say, “To God be the glory.” Amen.
When we think about Easter, many of us picture the joyous morning of resurrection, the empty tomb symbolizing triumph over death. It’s a moment of great culmination, but is it the end?
As I pondered the profound narrative of Easter, a question surfaced in my mind: Is Easter’s story truly over? It’s a tale steeped in hope, renewal, and transcendence, resonating through centuries. Yet, beyond the initial celebration of resurrection, there’s a deeper reflection that I want to share with you today.
The End of Easter, or Just the Beginning?
As I reflect on Easter’s message, I become increasingly convinced that it’s not merely a historical conclusion. Rather, it’s the genesis of a continuous journey for countless believers.
Easter’s Continuing Impact on My Life
Personally, Easter extends beyond the spring holiday we’ve come to know. I’ve realized that its lessons and implications carry through into every aspect of my daily life. The themes of rebirth and renewal challenge me to constantly seek growth and transformation—both spiritually and emotionally. This journey influences how I interact with others, how I overcome life’s challenges, and how I find hope amidst despair.
Renewal—and the Power of Faith
As I delve deeper, I recognize that Easter introduces us to the remarkable power of faith. It encourages me to embrace renewal and trust in greater purposes, even when they are not immediately visible. Easter reminds me to hold steadfast to my beliefs, knowing that strength often comes from the unseen.
Inviting You to Explore Beyond the Tomb
I invite you to join me in pondering Easter’s enduring story. Could it inspire you to peer beyond the symbols and traditions, seeking the profound change it invites into your life? As one who shares in this exploration, I hope you find renewal and motivation in the profound lessons of Easter, embracing not an end, but a powerful and ongoing journey of faith and transformation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Easter’s story, for me, is far from over. It’s a vibrant, living narrative that continuously impacts how we perceive the world. By considering what lies beyond the tomb, we may discover not an ending, but a new beginning. I look forward to hearing what Easter’s continued story means to you and how it shapes your journey forward.
Ten disciples gathered in a locked room, filled with fear and confusion… then Jesus appeared among them. In that moment, they became apostles – those sent out with a commission.
In the last few weeks, the internet has been flooded with articles and photos about Easter. Much of this content captures the essence of hope and resurrection. While some of it may not resonate with everyone, I often find myself contrasting these modern perspectives with the timeless scene of the ten disciples gathered in a locked room, filled with fear and confusion. Judas had passed, and Thomas was absent, leaving them fearful of both the Roman and Jewish authorities and plagued by shame for abandoning our Master in His time of need.
A Personal Encounter with Faith
As they huddled together, disturbed by reports from Mary Magdalene that she had seen Jesus and confronted with Peter and John’s discovery of the empty tomb, they hoped, though cautious about daring to hope. Suddenly, Jesus was among them, greeting them with “Shalom.” He showed them His hands and the wound in His side, authenticating His presence. Again, He said, “Peace be with you,” and in that moment, they became apostles—those sent out with a commission.
Forgiveness and a New Mission
Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon them, granting a new authority concerning the forgiveness of sins. On that first Easter night, He forgave the disciples for their betrayal, emphasizing the power of reconciliation. Every church, including ours, must embrace this gift. It’s dangerously easy to allow division and overlook sin. The world is skeptical of a church proclaiming reconciliation if it itself is divided and unrepentant.
A Call to Suffer and Stand Firm
The church today is called to reflect the marks of suffering whenever Christians face persecution for their beliefs or where other religions oppose Christian evangelism. We are often reluctant to take a stand on moral issues—materialism, conflicts—because standing up is not comfortable. Yet, just as Christ suffered for truth, so must we. I ponder if the church today, especially in the Western world, has the same sense of mission as the early disciples?
Being Sent with Obedience
Christ’s commissioning to His disciples, to teach, heal, baptize, and disciple nations, was a monumental task for those who hadn’t ventured far from their villages, let alone to Jerusalem. But they were men under obedience, supported by divine grace. From constant persecution to becoming the Empire’s religion within three centuries, they reflected on their role today. Self-consciousness and uncertainty about Christ’s uniqueness can weaken our vocation.
A Call to Every Christian
Being a Christian means being part of His mission. We cannot claim to be in Christ and ignore our part in His global mission. This involves caring for the sick and serving the community. Yet, while society may attribute issues to bad environments or accidents, I see the significance in addressing sin and forgiveness not just as moral failings but as pathways to reconciliation with God.
Experiencing Joy through Faith
True joy comes when the church or individual Christians reach out in faith to the risen Christ, accept His forgiveness, and commit to obey His call. The result is an infectious new joy.
The Church and Its Unique Role
There’s often a tension between the role of the church and government agencies. Yet, the first Easter illuminated the difference—faith became action. The apostles, once discouraged, had returned to deliver the Easter message: the good news of the risen Christ provided answers in our darkest times.
Conclusion
The Easter message, initially preached by Peter in Jerusalem and St. Paul across Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome, remains the good news of the risen Christ. It makes sense of our lives amid inquiries, disappointments, and confusion. As I share these reflections, I am reminded that through reconciliation, we find not just purpose but profound happiness.
It is a story that transcends a final act of love performed in a graveyard for a dearly departed friend; it’s about something greater and more profound.
The Unexpected Triumph
In the aftermath of Jesus’ crucifixion, the women who visited the tomb expected to care for a lifeless body. Instead, they were met with an unimaginable truth—the resurrection. The narrative reveals a radical shift, where fear and disbelief give way to joy and awe. And yet, in present times, we’ve dulled our sensitivity, hearing the Easter story without a tremor of emotion. These events, initially cloaked in disbelief, unfolded in a room where hope seemed improbable, and doubt reigned.
Embracing the Message
The resounding message delivered by Angelic messengers was clear: “Do not be afraid.” But imagine the apostles, challenged to transform their fear into faith, receiving the earth-shattering news of resurrection. The heavenly messenger stated, “He is not here; for He has risen, as He said.” In those last three words lies the essence of what was always meant to be—a resurrection foretold.
Living “As He Said”
We’re called, like those first tellers, to embody and live by Jesus’ teachings. It’s not enough to remember; we must celebrate his lordship amidst life’s challenges. This Easter, as we commemorate this radiant anniversary, it’s crucial to internalize what was promised. Do we live by his word, by the light of his resurrection promises? I often ask myself, “Do I trust as He said?” The apostles once struggled with their own disbelief but eventually found their way, confronting their fears and living as he instructed.
A Call to Rediscover
Our journey is to follow Christ, to Galilee or wherever He calls us, embracing the transformation made possible through the resurrection. Despite our lapses in faith, or our hesitations, we’re invited to rediscover this story, to allow its truth to permeate our hearts anew. Let us remember today what truly lies at the core of our faith—that Christ, once in the bonds of death, now lives.
This is the heart of the Easter message and the catalyst for our journey forward. The world may continue to seek answers, and today, we assert the faith that defines us. As we continue to reflect, I invite you all to engage, to believe, and to carry this message beyond today.
To turn away a stranger from your doorstep might not be a kind or Christian act, but it is understandable on human grounds. A stranger, after all, has no direct claim on us. Yet, in the gospel of John, we read that Jesus’ own people did not accept him.
Yet, what if a familiar face appears, someone who should have a claim on us—a friend or relation carrying letters of greeting from a loved one or a son returned after years away? We would surely feel a duty to welcome such people, no matter the circumstances. In much the same way, when Jesus came to his own people, they did not accept him. The whole world is his, yet humanity, his own creation, still struggles to receive him.
Jesus’ Humble Entry
Isaiah prophesied about a King who would come riding humbly on a donkey. On that day in Jerusalem, the crowds recognized the fulfillment of this prophecy. They shouted with joy, recognizing Jesus as the King who came in the Lord’s name. They had high hopes and dreams for what his arrival meant: Was this the moment when Jesus would claim his throne and rule with justice and peace? We now know that their earthly hopes were disappointed. Jesus’ kingdom was not earthly; his victory was over sin and death, not Romans. His path to glory was through the cross.
Embracing the Christ of Holy Week
I often reflect on this truth: Jesus’ own people did not receive him, and I wonder how I am any different. Do I truly receive him? It is easy to say I do—after all, I accept him in baptism, communion, and fellowship. But am I ready to accept the Christ of Holy Week, with all that entails? I must be prepared to share in his sufferings symbolically, to embrace life’s trials as part of the redemptive sacrifice that Jesus made for us all.
Conquering Sin and Embracing Redemption
Accepting Jesus means readying myself to let him conquer sin within me. I often find myself shrinking from this task, more so than sharing in his symbolic pain. If Jesus is to reside in my heart fully, there are things I must clear out of it, allowing him to conquer and remove sin. Today, I proclaim with glad hosannas—Jesus has come to reign in our hearts. His throne is not of this world, yet he offers salvation and hope.
Conclusion: Let Us Reflect
As we move through Holy Week, I invite everyone to reflect on how we receive Jesus. We are called to journey with him, through the trials and triumph of Easter, to fully appreciate his sacrifice and victory. Let us open our hearts to him, clearing away that which holds us back, allowing his love to conquer all within. Thanks be to God for the gift of his Son.
Jesus went to Jerusalem, not out of morbidity or self-destruction, but, to serve the world. The practical way to share Christ’s purpose: stop organizing life around personal plans and ambitions and instead live for others in agape love. Focus on one concrete starting point: intercessionpray for others as an act of love that gives time, imagination, and desire for their good.
In the gospel, we encounter the story of the raising of Lazarus. Traditionally, most biblical scholars argue that this event is not the central theme of the story. Instead, they believe that Lazarus’s emergence from the tomb serves as a precursor to the significant event known as the Passion of Christ. This is why this particular Sunday has been historically regarded as Passion Sunday.
The Meaning of Passion
Before it acquired romantic connotations, the word “passion” held a strictly religious meaning, derived from the Latin word “passio,” referring solely to Jesus’s suffering. Historically, the weeks leading up to Easter in the English Church were known as Passion Tide with its own distinct practices and color, crimson. It was customary to cover pictures and statues beginning on this Sunday, although I personally have fondness to always call it Passion Sunday, distinct from Palm Sunday.
A Drama Unfolds
The liturgical events of Holy Week and Easter are often compared to a grand drama. I sometimes wonder if suggesting extending this over more than one week could be considered frivolous, as compressing such profound events into a short time span feels akin to condensing “Hamlet” into a one-act play.
When the metaphorical curtain rises, something unique happens. Part of the set—specifically the cross, seen weekly—is now draped with purple to draw our attention. Historically, items like statues and ornaments were covered to refocus our attention onto the cross, but now we bring the cross itself to the forefront. This shift is meant to concentrate our attention on the words we are about to hear, as they rank among the most critical we’ve ever encountered.
Crucified with Christ
Some take this role too literally, allowing themselves to be metaphorically crucified. St. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, states, “I have been crucified with Christ.” While neither Paul nor I take this literally, it describes a way of living—a direction of purpose, aligning oneself with Jesus in his crucifixion. This might just offer an authentic understanding of the crucifixion itself.
To understand Jesus’s actions in dying, one must share in his death and be crucified with him. Although Jesus did not explicitly teach his disciples the meaning of his death, he invited them—and us—to follow him and share in his death. This shared experience is the only way to truly comprehend it.
Living for Others
Jesus believed that his death wasn’t for his own sake but for others. He allowed his crucifixion to unfold because it was for the sake of humanity, for releasing people from oppression. Jesus himself articulated this by saying, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” His death had a liberating purpose, portrayed through his sharing of the wine at the Last Supper.
Sharing in Jesus’s crucifixion means transcending self-centeredness to live for others. It involves keeping our attention on the external world rather than our own goals or ambitions. This attitude is summed up in the New Testament with the word “agape,” meaning selfless love—love that culminates in laying down one’s life for others.
Intercession as a Form of Love
One practical way of living for others is through intercession—praying for them with genuine time, imagination, and desire. By interceding, we engage in profound love, substituting ourselves for others as Jesus did. It involves entering into the lives of others, bearing their burdens, and offering oneself to God on their behalf.
Practicing intercession leads us closer to Jesus in his crucifixion, allowing us to understand his sacrifice more intimately. By continuously living for others, we avoid becoming busybodies or meddling in others’ affairs. Instead, we experience Jesus’s love and sacrifice, comprehending the crucifixion from within.
Through this understanding, we find ourselves resonating more deeply with Jesus’s words and actions, as well as embracing the true essence of his sacrificial love. Thanks be to God.
The fourth Sunday in Lent marks a significant point: This Sunday, traditionally referred to as Mothering Sunday, offers us a moment to catch our breath before embracing the final intense stretch towards the cross and ultimately, the empty tomb.
Interestingly, this day also came to be known as Mothering Sunday. While its origins are somewhat obscure, it became a day dedicated to recognizing our mothers. Revered customs emerged, like visiting one’s mother or honoring her memory through carnations—white if she had passed and red if she’s alive. Although these traditions signify respect and love for mothers, they were born outside the official liturgical texts.
Liturgical Changes and Their Impact
The liturgy’s evolution over time brought about changes that obscured the foundations of certain traditions. As a result, some fervently hold onto practices that have lost their meaning while discarding those with lasting significance. This shift led to the renaming of Palm Sunday, which became Passion Sunday—a change I deeply disagree with. I believe that while traditions like Mothering Sunday may fade, we should preserve the meaningful designations of Passion and Palm Sunday, focusing on the Gospel’s message.
The Gospel’s Revelation: Beyond Tradition
In the Gospel of John, we glimpse Jesus’ revelation to a Christian community of their time. Through the stories, such as the Samaritan woman at the well and the healing of a man born blind, we witness profound messages about seeing, believing, and light. Encountering a blind man, Jesus demonstrated extraordinary compassion in a notably public manner, even under tension.
A Life Transformed by Faith
This man, who met Jesus during a moment of danger and hostility, experienced a miraculous transformation. Believing is intertwined with seeing, and this man’s newfound faith reshaped his identity. His life, once shadowed by darkness, now illuminated by faith, became a testament to living under God’s light. For me, this narrative offers a powerful illustration of transformation brought by encountering Christ.
New Life Through Baptism
The story reminds us of our own spiritual rebirth. In the Gospel, Jesus uses clay—forged from the earth itself—to heal. This symbolic act points us to our own baptism as a moment of becoming a new creation in Christ, much like the first human from the biblical narrative. Anointed and set apart, our lives should manifest the light of Christ.
Concluding Reflections: Living as Children of Light
Especially during Lent, we must remain vigilant, reflective on aspects of our lives that shrink from light. We are called to reject darkness and embrace a living faith that illuminates through goodness, righteousness, and truth. This ongoing conversion is celebrated in our liturgical expressions, as we join with the heavenly hosts in worship.
In reflecting on these traditions and the rich narratives of the Gospel, may we always remember to seek the light in our lives, living out our faith with renewed purpose and strength.
I have never heard anyone say, “I wish my life were more complicated.” For most of us, the opposite is true. We expend energy trimming the undergrowth that has overgrown our lives to make them less complicated. This approach also applies to our spiritual lives…
We are tempted to narrow the focus and limit religious experience to one issue or idea. This tendency is especially pronounced during Lent, when our attentions are focused on sin and forgiveness. However, it is essential to step back and reflect on the freedom that is ours through the gospel and the difference God’s grace and love make in our lives.
The Love of God Through the Gospel
In our gospel today from the fourth chapter of John, we have a vivid example of this encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. The gospel comes and sets her free, and the results for her life are earth-shattering. It is a story about God’s love for you and me and the difference that makes in our lives.
Misconceptions of Faith
Unfortunately, remnants of old beliefs still exist in the Christian consciousness. You can encounter this when people respond to a fatal illness by saying, “Oh, well, it’s God’s will.” They seem to think that this ready acceptance shows bravery, but it often reflects an eastern fatalism rather than understanding God’s will as love, grace, and mercy.
The Heart of the Universe: Unconditional Love
If the cross teaches us nothing more, it surely shows that at the heart of the universe there is a heart beating full of love. Unconditional love, love that will not let us go, as the old hymn puts it. That is precisely the love Christ shows—the same love of God demonstrated in the parable of the Prodigal Son.
The truth is God is not a tyrant out to get us. Christ brings us the living water of grace and mercy and peace. His love goes all the way to the cross, ensuring that wayward individuals like the woman of Samaria and all of us prodigals are loved into the newness of life that is the gospel. This is the good news: God loves you and me, that woman at the well, and all God’s people.
Acceptance and Grace
Christ accepted the Samaritan woman just as she was—unconditional grace and love. The first song many of us learned in Sunday school was, “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, For the Bible Tells Me So.” That is what Christ conveyed to that woman at the well—not a rebuke or an exhortation but gracious love. This love gave her a sense of self-worth and hope she had never experienced before.
Our Worth and Mission
We must keep before us the idea that Jesus’ coming, and the cross we focus on during this Lenten season, show us that in God’s eyes we are truly worth saving. If we have no worth, as some doom peddlers suggest, then God in Christ went to a lot of trouble for nothing. But the truth, as stated by Peter, is that “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people.”
Witnessing to the Gospel
That understanding leads us to grasp what is at the heart of our calling and the prime mission of the church: to witness the gospel. We are saved by a loving Father, set free to spread the good news of God’s love in Christ. Just as the Samaritan woman did in her hometown, we are commissioned by Christ to be his witnesses.
The Church’s Role
We, as the church, are the body of Christ, challenged to be channels of God’s love and grace for others and instruments of His peace. There is an urgent need for us to demonstrate what grace and the Christian life truly mean. The healthy church is out in the world, helping, healing, and liberating people in the name of Jesus. That is the kind of church we must strive to be, and that is the mission we must be about.
Thanks be to God.
Posted on: March 1st, 2026 by St Stephens Office
Like much scripture, the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, is deceptively simple. The complexity only appears after close scrutiny … So… Let’s start scrutinizing closely…
In the Book of Common Prayer, the second Sunday in Advent has traditionally been known as Bible Sunday. It is a time when we give thanks for the scriptures and are encouraged to read, mark, and inwardly digest them. I love that phrase—”inwardly digesting” holy scripture. This is something we must do, especially during Lent.
The core of this process involves paying close attention to Bible readings to uncover the messages they hold for us. One such reading is the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, a deceptively simple story that bears close scrutiny, particularly in its original Greek text, as English translations can obscure some of its deeper meanings.
The Story of Nicodemus: A Layer of Meaning
In John’s Gospel, Nicodemus functions almost as a straight man for Jesus. The narrative moves from dialogue to misunderstanding, eventually allowing Jesus to deliver a profound speech. The exchanges between Jesus and Nicodemus highlight a shift from a singular to a plural form of address, indicating that the conversation is intended for a broader audience.
Nicodemus’ journey through three cycles of dialogue with Jesus underscores a profound truth: mere knowledge of Jesus’ divine origin isn’t enough for genuine faith. This Gospel passage, alongside the epistle from Romans, shifts our focus to Abraham as a model of faith, emphasizing that genuine belief must be manifested in sound action.
Eternal Life and Solid Faith
Eternal life, as described in the Gospel of John, begins in this life with the anticipation of another. It is a state of existence borne out of what God has accomplished in Jesus Christ. Our lives as Christians are guided and empowered by this belief.
During Lent, we must focus on penitence, an expression of sound action that reflects solid faith. Soon, you will receive absolution, an assurance of God’s forgiveness of sins. Our understanding of faith is heavily influenced by our understanding of sin—not merely as individual transgressions, but also as a fundamental missing of the mark, a failure to live up to our own ideals.
The Role of Faith in Human Frailty
We often find ourselves limited by our human nature, unable to achieve what we so desire. Just like a sick person needs a doctor, we, too, require external help. From parents and educators to God himself, these external influences support us, especially when we falter.
Faith becomes crucial when we can’t forgive ourselves or when we feel overwhelmed by our own blunders. It’s a belief that God cares, a belief that may be challenging to accept, but an essential part of effective penitence.
Faith in Action: The Healing of the Epileptic Boy
There is a compelling story in Saint Mark’s Gospel about an epileptic boy whose life was nearly destroyed by his illness. His father’s faith, though tenuous, was enough to bring him to Jesus. Despite the father’s wavering belief, Jesus’ words—“Everything is possible to one who has faith”—highlight the power of even the smallest seed of faith.
The subsequent healing not only transformed the boy’s life but is a reminder to us all. In our penance, over our shortcomings, we are urged to pray: “I have faith; help me where my faith falls short.” Just as the boy was restored, so can we be transformed, made into something more than we are now.
The Worth of Moral Struggle
While effort is required to succeed in tangible endeavors like business or abstaining from vices, the same applies to cultivating virtues like justice, kindness, and compassion. These qualities, although they sometimes offer no immediate reward or recognition, are worth every ounce of effort.
Faith plays a pivotal role when life’s journey feels like an endless cycle. Believing that life leads somewhere—beyond mere birth and death—we find the effort worthwhile. Whether faith is received as a divine gift or cultivated through practice, its essence transforms our approach to life’s struggles.
Conclusion: Trusting in God’s Power
Faith, in the context of penitence, is a trust in God’s ability to mold us according to His perfect will. It is our call to not only confess our sins but to do so with the belief that God can and will make something of us.
As we reflect on this, let us embrace this divine dialogue, trust in God’s concern for us, and let our faith guide our actions, enriching our lives with purpose and direction.
Posted on: February 22nd, 2026 by St Stephens Office
sermon Feb 22nd Do we model our lives after Christ’s example of absolute goodness, or do we settle for social acceptability? Jesus used parables featuring flawed characters to illuminate God’s truths.
Title: Reflections on Faith, Goodness, and Self-Examination
The hymn, “There is a Green Hill Far Away,” by Fannie Humphreys, was initially penned for children but rich with meaning for all of us.
The Simplicity and Beauty of Hymns
“There is a Green Hill Far Away” has its roots in a collection of hymns aimed at making the church catechism more understandable for children. The writer, Fannie Humphreys, intended to answer the profound question, “Why did Jesus die?” in a manner accessible to young minds. Although the theology is simple, its beauty lies in lines like “He died that we might be forgiven. He died to make us good.” This invites us to reflect: Do we truly want God to make us good?
The Pursuit of Goodness
It’s essential to examine what goodness means in the Christian context. While some suggest that Christianity is fundamentally about goodness, Jesus didn’t focus solely on good people in His teachings. Quite the opposite, He used parables featuring flawed characters to illuminate God’s truths. We need to ask ourselves, do we model our lives after Christ’s example of absolute goodness, or do we settle for social acceptability?
The Disturbance of Conventional Ideas
Christ’s teachings often turned the societal norms of right and wrong on their head. He wasn’t shy about presenting God in ways that shocked His listeners, forcing them to see beyond the surface. Christ’s parables remain relevant today as they challenge us to confront our notions of justice and righteousness.
Embracing Lent Through Self-Examination
The season of Lent is upon us, a time devoted to self-examination and repentance. We are reminded to approach this period with a healthy awareness of our sins. Sin may seem like an outdated concept, replaced by modern ideas of personal freedom. However, ignoring the notion of sin doesn’t free us from its effects. Instead, recognizing our sinfulness is the first step toward genuine freedom.
Freedom in the Gospel
True freedom comes from an honest acknowledgment of our condition and embracing the gospel’s offer of freedom from sin. Jesus’ parables teach us that happiness lies not in self-righteousness but in humility and confession of our sins. This Lenten season, let us seek to recognize sin as a reality instead of pretending it doesn’t matter.
A Call for Honest Reflection and Prayer
I urge all of us to use this period of self-examination and penitence as a means to align ourselves with the goodness we find in Jesus’ life and teachings. We must constantly pray for the grace to live lives that echo the principles of the Kingdom of God, remembering that any goodness we find is a divine gift.
In closing, let our prayers and actions reflect the earnest desire for our lives to become living parables, showcasing the principles of God’s Kingdom. Thanks be to God.
