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 6 of the Kerygma: The Church and the Sacraments
Theme – God’s Invitation Through Spiritual Gifts
Ephesians 2:19-22 The Church as The Household of God Built on the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members 1 of God’s household, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 2 In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 3 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” 4
Reflection
Can you feel the warmth of belonging today? As we journey through Lent, we are not only invited into a personal relationship with God, but also into the vibrant community of His family. The invitation to belong is a powerful one, offering us a sense of purpose, love, and support as we navigate this earthly life.
In today’s reading, Paul reminds us that we are no longer outsiders, but rather, we are living stones, intricately woven into the very fabric of God’s dwelling place. We are being built together, not as individuals, but as a community, into a holy temple where God’s Spirit resides. This is a profound truth – we are not meant to walk this journey alone. God desires to be with us, and He desires for us to be with one another, supporting, encouraging, and loving each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.
This passage reveals God’s character as one of unity and communion. He is the architect of this beautiful community, and He is constantly at work, drawing us closer to Himself and to one another. He invites us to embrace our role as living stones, to offer our unique gifts and talents to the building of His kingdom, and to find strength and support in the fellowship of the saints.
As we approach the end of Lent, let us renew our commitment to living out our baptismal promises by actively participating in the life of the Church. Let us reach out to those who feel isolated or alone, and let us strive to build a community of love and support where all feel welcomed and cherished.
Prayer
Loving God, thank you for the gift of belonging to your family. Thank you for the community of faith that surrounds me, offering support and encouragement on this journey. Help me to embrace my role as a living stone in your holy temple, and to use my gifts to build up the Body of Christ. May your Spirit dwell within me and through me, bringing life and joy to all those I encounter. Amen.
Action
Today, reach out to someone in your faith community. It could be a simple phone call, a visit, or an offer to help with a task. Let your actions reflect the love and unity that God desires for us to experience.
The Kerygma
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
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