16 September 2016 - accompanying him

Saints Cornelius and Cyprian

[ Today's Readings ]

We are like those accompanying Jesus  who have been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, from whom demons have been cast out. He's going from one village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. We are living proof of that good news. No really, we are. We are given new life in the Holy Spirit by Baptism and Confirmation. Sin does not have irresistible power over us. Death does not have the final word.

His resurrection makes all the difference in the world.

For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised,
and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain;
you are still in your sins.
Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
If for this life only we have hoped in Christ,
we are the most pitiable people of all.

But Christ has been raised and we already share in that risen life even here and now.

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 (see Ephesians 2:4-6).

We are already seated in heaven. The risen life of Christ begins now.

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you (see First Corinthians 8:11).

We don't have to reprise the role of Jesus in sharing the good news. Instead we share it as people who know his healing power. We share it as people who know the power of the resurrection. He invites everyone before we speak a word. But we need to be ready to talk about his power at work in us. We need to know and be thankful for what he has already done for us and have confidence that he will do the same for anyone that asks.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings,
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence.