Faith and love are the marks of the Church. We're not talking about some general sense of the words, though. It's not some broad expression of belief in a higher power that shapes us, but specific faith in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. Love, rather than an amorphous expression of human decency, is particularly expressed in the self-emptying, self-giving love of Jesus on the cross. This faith and this love are what define the community of those gathered by God's Spirit.
Our readings this week help give shape to the faith and love which sit at the heart of our Christian confession and definition. Jesus' identity as a Good Shepherd not only provides confidence for our faith, but helps shape our love for one another. The epistle reading in particular combines the faith and love witnessed in Jesus as a unified command for the life of the Church. At the bare minimum, faith in Jesus and loving like Jesus are what we ought to be really, really good at.
Acts 4:5-12
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18
Psalm 23
My prayer for us: Good Shepherd, thank you for the love you show to us, which serves as the foundation for real, genuine faith. May you shape us this week into your image, so that your Church might point to you, reflect you, and honor you in all we do. In your name and in the power of your Spirit I pray. Amen.
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