Lent 4 Preview Meditation

The Sunday Scriptures during the Lenten season are rich in meaning and good news for the believer. Often on Sunday mornings, I do not have enough time during my preaching to hit all the points I would like to, so I have to limit myself. As such, for the remainder of Lent, I plan to publish a brief mediation each Thursday on something from the upcoming Sunday readings. While the preview meditation will likely share some thematic content in common with my Sunday message, this Thursday publication is only met to whet the appetite of the reader and hopefully help prepare their heart for their Sunday worship experience.
Fr. Randall+

Fourth Sunday in Lent

This Sunday, our Epistle reading is from Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In the second chapter, we are told of the incredible love and grace of God towards us. Specifically in the 4th through 9th verses we read "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-9, ESV)

This passage reminds us that salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn by our own works. It is through God's grace and love that we are saved, and it is through faith in Christ Jesus that we receive this gift. Understanding this truth is crucial for every believer, as it reminds us of our total dependence on God and His mercy. It should humble us, realizing that we can do nothing to earn our salvation. But it also fill us with gratitude and awe at the incredible love God has shown us. Let us hold on to this truth in our daily lives, and live in the light of God's amazing grace. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.