Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A
Suffering. It is difficult to get through this life without suffering. Anguish, disappointment, and grief seem to visit us at points along our life journey. The Book of Job (rhymes with lobe) is an exploration of the reason for suffering. Job is the source of the question, "why do bad things happen to good people?" 1 Timothy seeks to remind followers of Christ that they will suffer for the Gospel and that through the good news, the world will be changed. We follow a Savior who knew the epitome of suffering. Jesus was beaten, spit upon, whipped, and crucified. Church tradition holds that the apostles were martyred (see below). Of course, suffering is not sought out. But it exemplifies the ways sin is entrenched in our world and how difficult it is to make fundamental changes. Perhaps that is what we are experiencing in these days. Racism does not go away easily. Society does not evolve without pain and loss. Perhaps through the hurt, there is hope. The Good News of the Kingdom of God will continue to impact the world. But there will be sacrifices and there will be suffering. As followers of Christ, maybe we should not be surprised when we are bruised for his higher purpose. The Suffering and Death of the Apostles According to the Church Tradition (Warning, Not Pleasant):
1 Comment
Richard Jackson
6/7/2020 09:47:41 pm
Compared to those apostles, we sure have it easy in America. An area that can compare with those apostles currently is Nigeria. Let's pray for our brothers and sisters there and other areas as well.
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REv. Dean N. PrentissI am blessed to be the Pastor at Wesley Park UMC. Find Daily Lectionary Readings Here. Archives
February 2021
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