Much has been said about Christ Jesus fulfillment of the Old Testament. Perhaps the simplest idea which best addresses the fulfillment is accessibility. I think as His children we sometimes think as children. We see ourselves in this connection we have with the Lord. We as children often struggle with our own development and broadcast this into our relationship with the Lord. So, let’s pause here for a moment and realize it is the Lord our God who seeks us, who initiated the encounter through love, creation, and the physical world He gave us. More than the word made flesh, more than walking among us, more than giving Himself for us; we know Christ is bigger than the cross. He was real, He is real, and He is with us. Christ is like the sunshine; we can’t see the light, but we know it’s there because we can see everything else. Happy Thanksgiving.
Encouragement XVI
Dear Friend,
You know it’s not easy being a Christian. On one hand, Christ Jesus makes demands; on the other hand, He gives guidance and brings great benefits. We all cherish the joy and peace of mind we find in His presence. There is gratitude and thanksgiving for His gifts. There is always hope because where there is Christ Jesus, our risen Lord, there is hope. There is always hope because our faith in Him fosters trust in Him. In those moments of faith and trust, when standing in the light of His love we all find the strength to pray for ourselves, the ones we love and for all the people suffering in this horrible pandemic.
We know the world, we have seen life unfolding in all its joys and happiness, the beautiful memories of times gone by. We have seen the other side too, a world in its sadness caught up in confusion and strife. During these troubling times, through our faith, the power of prayer and providence of His love, He has given us the strength to endure, to conquer our fears and manage our uncertainties. This world has taught us many lessons, the same lessons we passed down to our children and to their children as well. This is the time to draw from all we know, all we have learned and all we have shared. This is the time to remember Psalm 27:14; “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”
From the priests, deacon, the staff and all the congregation of St. Jude Catholic Church, know we are praying with you. Take courage in our prayers, find strength in knowing you are not alone, we are with you and you are with us. We love the Lord, He is our Savior, our strength in all times. We go to Him; He is with us.
Encouragement XV
Dear Friends,
In Isaiah 26:4, we read, “Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.” What reassuring words we have from Isaiah. Trust in the Lord forever, He is everlasting. And what did Christ Jesus say to Peter? You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church. So here we are 2000 years later, all Christians, in all our congregations, worshiping Christ Jesus our Savior.
Comforting to know, we have a Savior, our Lord, sturdy, secure, and forever. He is with us and for us. It’s not that He wants anything from us, He wants all good things for us. Just as He told Peter, nothing can stand against my Church not even the gates of hell or legions of demons, or all the evils of this world or the dreadful pandemic we all face; nothing at all can shake His Church from its foundation on the Rock.
He didn’t ask us to love Him, have trust and faith in Him before He met His passion on the Cross. He knew the trials we would face, the troubles we would endure and the doubts we would have, but He went to the Cross, He did it anyway. He trusted in His Father. Christ Jesus held tight to what had been and what would be, an everlasting covenant, one with His Father and one with us. Our triune God has never changed and will never change. As sure as the Rock, the Rock of faith, trust, love, and hope stands now in His Church.
Encouragement XIV
Dear Friend,
“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope”. Good words from Jerimiah. Where there is the Lord there is hope, and in hope trust grows, and where there is trust and hope there is Love.
Sometimes it’s hard to imagine what good will come from this pandemic. Sometimes it’s hard to see His plan and purpose. Sometimes it’s all we can do is find the strength to lean on Him. Sometimes we just say, “lead me on Lord” and pray for the best. This sure seems like one of these times.
Know all your friends and the whole congregation at St. Jude Catholic Church is praying for you, your love ones and all the people who are suffering in this terrible pandemic. Find a still moment and pray with us. Look for a moment of peace of mind and in this moment you will hear our prayers and His gentle voice. We, as Christians, are calling out to the world, to hear our prayers for healing, and for gratitude for all His blessings.
I hope this letter finds you in good spirits, healthy and happy for His providence and presence in our lives. If you do feel discouraged today, let this letter remind you that even though you may feel alone, isolated and cut off from the things which bring you joy….you are not alone. Our congregation, the priests, deacon, and staff at St. Jude Catholic Church are reaching out to you, praying for you. Blessings for all of us.