What if Lent Could Rekindle Your Faith? Exploring the Kerygma
Life can take us on unexpected paths, and sometimes our faith journey can feel like it’s taken a detour. If you’ve found yourself distant from your faith, or if you’re simply curious about exploring it again, this Lenten season offers a gentle invitation to reconnect. These daily reflections focus on the Kerygma, the core message of Christianity – a message of love, hope, and new beginnings. We’ll be exploring eight key “Acts” of God’s story, from creation to our present call to partnership with Him. There’s no pressure, no judgment, just an invitation to consider a different perspective and perhaps rediscover a connection you thought was lost.
Act 5 of the Kerygma: “The Invitation – “God offers us a new life in Christ, free from the power of sin and death.”
Theme – Freedom from Sin and Embracing New Life
“The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. It is the ultimate proof of God’s love and power, and it guarantees our own resurrection and eternal life. Through Christ’s resurrection, we are united with him, sharing in his victory over sin and death.”
1 Peter 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Reflection
Imagine a treasure chest filled with riches beyond your wildest dreams – jewels, gold, and priceless artifacts. Now imagine that this treasure is yours, waiting for you in a place of perfect safety. This is the image St. Peter paints for us today. God, in His boundless mercy, has gifted us with a “living hope” – not just a wishful dream, but a certainty that transcends death. This hope is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus, a powerful testament to God’s victory over sin and death.
This passage speaks directly to Act 5 of the Kerygma: the invitation to a new life in Christ. God is not offering us a distant promise; He is offering us a tangible inheritance – a life of eternal joy and communion with Him. This inheritance is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,” a testament to its enduring value and the unwavering love of our Heavenly Father.
As we journey through Lent, let us hold onto this living hope. Let us allow it to fuel our repentance, to strengthen our faith, and to inspire us to live lives worthy of this incredible inheritance. Let us remember that we are not alone on this journey; God is with us, guarding us with His power and guiding us towards the ultimate fulfillment of His promise.
Prayer
Lord God, thank you for the gift of a living hope, anchored in the resurrection of your Son. Help me to hold onto this hope, even in the midst of trials and temptations. May my life reflect this hope, as I strive to live in a way that honors your love and prepares me for the eternal glory that awaits. Amen
Action
Today, take a moment to reflect on your own “living hope.” What are your hopes and dreams for the future? How can you align those hopes with the eternal hope that God offers?
The Kerygma
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post