The hope and promise of the Resurrection on that Easter Day was able to dispel the darkness of grief and despair of the disciples in the days after the crucifixion

God’s mercy most perfectly expresses itself in God’s desire to bring us to life in Christ, even when we were dead to sin and had wandered far away.

Our Advent journey is one of lament and longing, a cry for that life which only God can give.

Like those leaders called out by Jesus and Malachi, we also have a special kind of covenantal relationship with those whom we are called to serve.

If God has been so generous in calling us—and forgiving us—despite our unworthiness, surely, we can also be generous in forgiving others.

It isn’t enough to simply talk about reconciliation and healing, we must do the hard work of forgiving, which, for disciples of Jesus, is just one aspect of taking up one’s cross and imitating Jesus himself.

The encounter with Jesus and the Canaanite woman marks pivotal moment in the story of our salvation, in large part because it opened up a space for us within the community of believers. 

The Kingdom is a reality—a gift—that is revealed to those who are attentive and searching.