July 8, 2018 – Christ Lives! In Him I Trust!

“My grace is enough for you.” —2 Corinthians 12:9

Alleluia! Every Sunday is Resurrection day, the weekly celebration of that first Easter morning when Jesus rose from the tomb, triumphed over sin and death, and made all things new for us. Today is a day of unity, when believers from all over this earth gather to worship almighty God, listen to His living, all-powerful Word, and receive the Bread of Life, Jesus Himself. Today we learn again that God loves us so much that He can never give us enough of His blessings. Alleluia!
How wonderful is God’s plan for this day! Yet occasionally someone in our acquaintance will say “I’ve had enough of this church,” rather than, “God’s grace is enough for me.” One reason for this difference is revealed in today’s psalm response. When our eyes are fixed on Jesus as Lord in a spirit of humility (see Ps 123:2; Heb 12:2), then we are opened to His mercy and grace. When we take our focus off of the Lord, then God is not enough to satisfy us; instead, we turn elsewhere for satisfaction.
Today, as you observe the Lord’s day in all its splendor, “examine yourselves” (2 Cor 13:5). “What are you looking for?” (Jn 1:38) “Are the consolations of God not enough for you?” (Jb 15:11)

Prayer: Father, You bless us with more than enough good things (Lv 25:21). Thank You, my Lord, my God, my All.
Promise: “Therefore, I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distress, with persecutions, and difficulties for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong.” —2 Cor 12:10
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who finished the work of our salvation and brought victory to mankind.

From a sermon by Saint Augustine

Do you want God to be appeased? Learn what you are to do that God may be pleased with you. Consider the psalm again: If you wanted sacrifice, I would indeed have given it; in burnt offerings you will take no delight. Are you then to be without sacrifice? Are you to offer nothing? Will you please God without an offering? Consider what you read in the same psalm: If you wanted sacrifice, I would indeed have given it; in burnt offerings you will take no delight. But continue to listen, and say with David: A sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit; God does not despise a contrite and humble heart. Cast aside your former offerings, for now you have found out what you are to offer. In the days of your fathers you would have made offerings of cattle – these were the sacrifices. If you wanted sacrifice, I would indeed have given it. These then, Lord, you do not want, and yet you do want sacrifice.I acknowledge my transgression, says David. If I admit my fault, then you will pardon it. Let us never assume that if we live good lives we will be without sin; our lives should be praised only when we continue to beg for pardon. But men are hopeless creatures, and the less they concentrate on their own sins, the more interested they become in the sins of others. They seek to criticise, not to correct. Unable to excuse themselves, they are ready to accuse others. This was not the way that David showed us how to pray and make amends to God, when he said: I acknowledge my transgression, and my sin is ever before me. He did not concentrate on others’ sins; he turned his thoughts on himself. He did not merely stroke the surface, but he plunged inside and went deep down within himself. He did not spare himself, and therefore was not impudent in asking to be spared.
You will take no delight in burnt offerings, David says. If you will not take delight in burnt offerings, will you remain without sacrifice? Not at all. A sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit; God does not despise a contrite and humble heart.
You now have the offering you are to make. No need to examine the herd, no need to outfit ships and travel to the most remote provinces in search of incense. Search within your heart for what is pleasing to God. Your heart must be crushed. Are you afraid that it might perish so? You have the reply: Create a clean heart in me, O God.For a clean heart to be created, the unclean one must be crushed.
We should be displeased with ourselves when we commit sin, for sin is displeasing to God. Sinful though we are, let us at least be like God in this, that we are displeased at what displeases him. In some measure then you will be in harmony with God’s will, because you find displeasing in yourself what is abhorrent to your Creator.