Holyrood Church 715 West 179 Street, Upper West side Manhattan, USA, 212-923-3770

During difficult or painful times, it often is more difficult to trust God.

Reading: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17.
 
Good morning, Happy Wednesday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
Today’s Gospel (John 3:16-21) passage begins with the words: “God so loved the world that God sent the only begotten Son.” I wonder how many times throughout the years we have heard these simple yet powerful words?  We know that Jesus came to earth for us and we know that Jesus died for us, but do we truly grasp and comprehend the depth of God’s love for us?
 
During difficult or painful times, it often is more difficult to trust God. At these times, God may appear to be absent or indifferent, yet God is at our side, walking with us, gracing us, and loving us every step of our way.  At other times, we may believe that we are unworthy of God’s love. This belief may arise from knowing that we have done something we know was sinful or hurtful of another or this belief may stem from our own belief that we are not loveable.
 
God’s love is very different from human love.  God’s love truly neither fails nor falters.  Many of us have heard the words: “God is love” from a very young age. Yet at times we struggle to believe and trust that reality!
As we realize that the eternal life that Jesus offers is a gift we don’t deserve, we quickly come to think of our deficiency; our focus can shift to ourselves instead of humbly accepting God’s graciousness. Jesus does not bring good news to diminish or condemn us, but so that, by believing him, might be saved.

Jesus is not waiting for me to improve my situation, to feel justified or worthy. He is happy if I know my need, turn to God in trust and ask for the blessings for which I long. I take time to let God look on me as I am and respond to God’s compassionate call to life.

Jesus came among us to show us how to be fully human, fully alive. ‘I came that you might have life, and have it to the full’. When I behave in a just, loving, merciful and grateful way do I have a sense of ‘being alive?’ To believe in Jesus is to behave like he did; to become ever more Christ-like. What part does light/darkness play in my life?

God loves the world, loves each one of us, loves me. This is the whole message of Jesus, expressed in his words and embodied, directly, or indirectly, in the whole of his life. Am I convinced of this myself?
 
Today may we open our hearts to God’s love.  Take time to bask in God’s love.  God is waiting for us.  Will we come?
 
Blessings,
 
Luis+

Date news: 
Miércoles, Abril 27, 2022 - 11:15

Ministerio en el tiempo del Coronavirus (Covid 19): Prevenir, curar y acompañar

Ahora tenemos que darle forma a lo que algun@s han comenzado a llamar; La Iglesia en Casa. Aunque yo me sigo preguntando; ¿qué hacen quienes no tienen un hogar? Por esto a la misma vez, estoy declarando desde hoy en nuestra Iglesia Santa Cruz una jornada de cuaresma de oración, ayuno y leer la Biblia en el Tiempo del Coronavirus.

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