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.
The Kerygma
At the heart of the Kerygma lies the core belief that God, out of boundless love and mercy, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from sin and death. Jesus willingly embraced the Cross, sacrificing Himself for our redemption. Through His resurrection, He conquered sin and death, offering us eternal life. Furthermore, the Kerygma proclaims that Jesus ascended to Heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to empower His Church to continue His mission of restoring all of creation.
Setting Our Faces Toward the Cross
Isaiah 50:4-7
“The Lord God has given me a discerning tongue, that I may know how to utter a word to the weary. He awakens me morning after morning; he awakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned back. I gave my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. 1 For the Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.”
Reflection
Palm Sunday, the day we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, is a bittersweet occasion. It is a day of joy mixed with foreboding, a day of praise intertwined with the stark reality of the suffering that lies ahead. In today’s reading from Isaiah, we hear a poignant reflection of this duality. The servant, foreshadowing Jesus, speaks of enduring suffering with unwavering trust in God. He faces rejection, humiliation, and even physical abuse, yet he remains steadfast, his “face set like flint.”
This echoes the very heart of the Kerygma. God’s mercy was not a passive act; it required sacrifice. Jesus, the Son of God, embraced suffering, endured the cross, and conquered death. As we prepare to walk with Jesus through these holy days, let us reflect on the cost of our salvation. His suffering was not in vain. It is through his sacrifice that we are reconciled to God and given the grace to become agents of restoration, to join in the mission of the Church to heal the brokenness of the world.
How does this relate to our Baptismal vows? Just as the servant in Isaiah endured suffering in obedience to God, we are called to live out our baptismal promises, even when it is difficult. This may involve overcoming sin, standing up for justice, or offering compassion to those in need. It may mean facing rejection or experiencing suffering. But like Jesus, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit empowers us, strengthens us, and guides us on this journey.
Prayer
Merciful God, we thank you for the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to remember the cost of our salvation and to live out our baptismal promises with courage and compassion. Grant us the grace to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, to be instruments of your healing in the world, and to work towards the restoration of all creation. Amen.
Action
Today, take time to read or meditate on the accounts of Jesus’ Passion. As you read, imagine yourself walking alongside him, witnessing his suffering. Reflect on what this teaches you about the depths of God’s love and the importance of your own participation in His redemptive work.
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