Holy Words From Holy Cross

When Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan, it served a different purpose than our own baptisms.  Why be baptized?  What benefits does it confer?  Is anything different after we are baptized INTO Christ?  The Scriptures tell us an important truth...

In order to forestall tyranny, the United States adopted a "separation of powers" wherein in no branch of government is supposed to wield ultimate authority.  Yet, in the Nicene Creed, Christians proudly proclaim that when Christ comes again "His kingdom shall have no end."  How does God combine the powers necessary for good government in the Person of Christ?  The gifts of the Magi point the way for us...

Many of us have a "bucket list," a set of things we wish to do before leave this life.  What is most essential to have on that list?  Our readings the Sunday after Christmas help us learn God's answer to that question.

When we discover our greatest strength, we discover our greatest weakness.  Can God do something with our weakness He could never do with our strength?

Most of us reach Christmas day less prepared than we wish we were.  The world was far from prepared for Jesus, and in some ways still is.  What is the blessing of being UNprepared?

The more things change, the more they stay the same... and one thing that has always been true of human nature is that some people are never satisfied.  They want it their way, but God insists on having it His way.  Why wouldn't God just give them what they want?

Most of human striving is for recognition and privilege.  In what circumstances are we all equals?  How does God make us equal?  John the Baptist's preaching was harsh, but it also holds the answer to this key human question.

Why do some people put their head in the sand when trouble looms?  The new atheists accuse religious people of refusing to look reality square in the eye--and undoubtedly some are guilty of that--but is that the sort of faith Scripture calls us to?  Christian faith has real answers for real, painfully real, life.  How can a more fully-formed faith help you in your day-to-day life?

Most of us begin our prayers by asking God--or whatever we think of as God--for whatever it is we want.  Christian prayer is always addressed to the true God, the God who has revealed and named Himself in history.  When Christians ask God earnestly and humbly for anything, we know the character of the God whom we address.  How do we ask God for ANYTHING and know we are heard?

"What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?"  The Apostle Paul uses these words to remind us that even the hardest working person uses time, talent, and resources that they did not provide to themselves.  Each of us, to be honest with ourselves and others, has much for which to be thankful.  Giving thanks is a key ingredient of prayer, for it is a key ingredient of honesty.

Because we all sin, we all hide from God in ways large and small.  This is the very opposite of what true prayer is about.  Making confession a part of our daily prayer helps us truly open ourselves to the movement of God's Spirit and grow closer.

We adore those who love us, for love is an incalculable gift.  The greater the person who loves us, the greater the adoration we feel if have any self perception, for we know that such love cannot be earned.  How great is God?  How far will He go to secure our love and salvation?  Is prayer just asking God for things, or is it something more?

Why reform the Church?  Why reform ourselves?  Most people want to be a good person, but we fail daily to our highest aspiration.  In the cross of Christ, we find forgiveness... hope to try again without a deficit we can never overcome.

Part 10 of a Bible study on the Revelation of St. John, an amillennialist interpretation.

Why must give an account to God for what we have done with our stuff?  Isn't it ours, after all?  An interesting question, and one worth exploring...

Part 9 of a Bible study on the Revelation of St. John, an amillennialist interpretation.

Why the Biblical warnings against possessions?  Can't we use things to do good?  We certainly can, but it is difficult to not become consumed with acquiring and managing our possessions.  Jesus teaches us how much is too much...

Part 7 of a Bible study on the Revelation of St. John, an amillennialist interpretation.

The book of Revelation, chapters 13 to 15.

Of all the burdens we carry, shame can be the most incapacitating.  Christ came to free us not just from the guilt of our sin, but from its shame as well.  How?  Listen and discover...