Pastor's Corner

For God So Loved The World

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." (John 3:16-17)

What does Jesus mean to me? . . . To me, Jesus Christ is the chance for change, the hope for redemption. He?s the embodiment of what it means to follow God and the example for us to follow. During the Lenten season, we focus on the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus as we turn ourselves toward repentance and self-evaluation.

During this time, Christians throughout history have examined their lives, seeking out where they have failed to follow God and dedicating themselves to realigning their lives with God. It?s kind of a depressing liturgical season, really. It forces us to face our flaws and faults. We look deep within ourselves and see that we aren?t perfect.

As I reflect on the following question, thinking in terms of the Lent and Easter season: What does Jesus mean to you? . . . To me, Jesus represents the presence of God in my daily life. So let us think about this in the context of Lenten reflections as we journey together.

First, I believe that life (in general and moment to moment) is a gift from God. Each breath ? each experience ? each encounter ? is a gift to be received. The life of Jesus represents a means by which we can understand these gifts and how they are to be received. The gospel images of Lent and the Easter story offers a map that bring these acts of gift receiving to our attention during this particular time of year.

For example, the story of the last supper could represent what to make of individual encounters ? are we in communion daily with people we bump into? People remind us that God is alive. The presence of others in our lives brings communion to life.

Second, I believe that in this church season in particular we are reminded of the pain and suffering of Jesus. These are also part of the gift of life that we receive from God. Many believe that it is through suffering, pain, adversity and challenges that we actually learn as Christians how God reveals himself to us. The fact that others care -- the fact that ?life goes on? -- and the fact that we must continue living in the midst of challenge and heartache, are all part of the Lenten message available to us. The gift of God is found in the events and actions that accompany the adversity thrust at us.

Thirdly, I believe that the message of Easter comes to us in our gift of life. In our finest hour or in our darkest hour Easter reminds us of eternal life. We receive the promises of hope, new life, new beginnings ? and the possibility that all can be made new. ?For God so loved the world?in order that the world might be saved through him.?

Simply stated, we receive the gift of life and all that goes with it. ? The Lenten journey reminds us of our burdens and the Easter message offers us the possibility of new life.

So while Lent may be a depressing time, it is quickly followed by the hope that is nearly incredible. You see, on Easter morning when we celebrate Christ?s resurrection, we celebrate a change on the deepest level. The resurrection of Christ is a resurrection in which we all share; we who were dead are now alive, and that life is in Christ. We have hope. We have change. We have love. That?s what Jesus means to me.

Gracious God thank you this day for the gift of life. Help us to celebrate that gift. Help us to remember you lighten our loads. Create in us this day an open heart for the possibility of hope and new life that comes with the empty tomb.
Amen

In Christ I remain his servant and yours,
Pastor Samuel King-Kabu.

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St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal