29 August, 2020
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith…Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. Hebrews 13:7, 9
Abba Father, you are our Omnipotent God and it is by your breath that creation subsists. Your Spirit permeates the whole universe, giving sustenance to your created beings. You have instilled in us fear of you, that we may adhere to your ordinances and inculcated in us your ways and your word for imitation through instruction and proper interpretation. You have continued to lead us by your Providence and the guidance of your prophets. You demonstrated your unwavering and unchanging love for us by redeeming humankind, the pride of your creation but also the source of your righteous wrath, by sending the Messiah to inflame our penitent hearts to seek sanctification and be saved for eternity. Jesus Christ is our Immutable Saviour. As Mediator of the new Covenant, his singular sacrifice brought us to communion with you and to the strength of your promise that you will abide with us forever, through the Power of your Holy Spirit. Faith in your promises of never forsaking us gives us the stoic resolve to live a radical, normal Christian life. Jesus has fulfilled the sacrifices of the Day of Atonement; they are completed in him; they find their final meaning in him. Feasting at the Altar of Grace, the grace of hope and forgiveness is the only way to survive. We need comfort in the midst of grief, guidance in perplexing decisions, faithfulness and prudence. Defending our faith with implicit belief, warding off marauders with their enticing and misleading gospels of worldly prosperity and congregating through binding love and brotherhood, we hope to attain our just reward in Jesus’ Name. Amen