Rev. Daniel E. Pilarczyk

Jesus’ new community has flourished. It’s what we now call the Church. It is this family of faith–this new community that gives final importance to our lives. Membership in it is what constitutes our salvation.

Sometimes we are tempted to ask for greater reassurance from the Lord, for some further indication that the Lord is really with us. But in Jesus we already have all the certainty we need.

Jesus will be an agent of the Spirit of God–meek and gentle in the face of hostility. He is concerned with kindness more than with victory. He will extend the loving justice of God even to the Gentiles.

Further opposition to Jesus by the Pharisees. The disciples are picking grain on the Sabbath. Therefore Jesus’ disciples are not observing the law, and Jesus seems to be approving their non-compliance. It’s easy to judge others, but when we do we may find Jesus judging us in return.

Jesus is the answer to all our troubles and burdens. He lightens them either by increasing our strength, or by clarifying our perceptions, or simply by taking this or that burden off our shoulders.

You don’t have to be a theologian or a canon lawyer to be saved. But you have to be childlike, aware of your weakness, and willing to accept what the Lord has to offer. Am I childlike?

Jesus offers salvation today. The sinfulness of our world indicates that it is still not being accepted by everybody. Jesus calls each one of us to the kingdom. How do I respond?