Grace and Growth

 

"And the child grew 

and became strong; 

he was filled with wisdom, 

and the grace of God 

was on him." 

(Luke 2:40)

Growth and development should be holistic, encompassing physical, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions. We should pursue balanced growth in all areas and strive for continuous improvement in all aspects of our lives. Let us seek strength and wisdom in our own lives, through learning, experience, and reliance on God.

God's grace is available to us, guiding and supporting us in our journey to focus on continuous growth, seek strength and wisdom, rely on God's grace, and pursue holistic development. 

And the child grew, both strong and wise, 

With wisdom shining in his eyes. 

The grace of God upon him lay, 

Guiding him through each new day.

In strength and spirit, he did rise, 

A beacon bright beneath the skies. 

With every step, in every way, 

God's grace and love would lead his way.

From humble start to heights unknown, 

In wisdom's light, his path was shown. 

And the child grew, in grace and might, 

A testament to God's pure light.

Lord Jesus, 

We come before You with hearts full of gratitude, for the example of Your growth and strength. Just as You were filled with wisdom and grace, we seek to grow in Your likeness each day.

Grant us the strength to face life's challenges, and the wisdom to make choices that honor You. May Your grace be upon us, guiding our steps, and filling our hearts with Your love and peace.

Help us to grow in faith and understanding, and to reflect Your light in all that we do. May we always seek Your presence and find comfort in Your everlasting grace.

Amen.

Pericope:

II: The Infancy Narrative

THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE / THE RETURN TO NAZARETH

Luke 2:22-38 / 30-40

Gospel Acclamation

A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. Today a great light has come upon the earth. 

Gospel | Luke 2:36-40

36 There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty four. She never left the temple, but worshipped night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. 

Reflection Source:

Conversation with Copilot

Grace Bestowed in Abundance

Everything indeed is for you, 

so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people 

may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. 

2 CORINTHIANS 4:15

Grace means elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action; a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment. First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin grātia “favor, kindness, esteem,” derivative of grātus “pleasing”.

For the ancient Romans, grātia had three distinct meanings: (1) a pleasing quality, (2) favor or goodwill, and (3) gratitude or thanks. We find all three of these meanings in modern-day English. The first when we describe someone as having (or not having) grace. The second when we talk about giving or getting grace (by the grace of God). And the third when we say grace (i.e., “thanks”) at a meal. So if you have something to be grateful for, you can say thank you, grātia, gracias, or grazie.

God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed (2 Cor 9:8) to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously bestowed on you in the Beloved (Eph 1:6).

Give testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace shall be upon you (Act 4:33). For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ (Rom 5:17). And the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus (1 Tim 1:14) having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God (Ph 1:11).

By the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (1 Cor 15:10).

I will praise the name of God with song, and exalt Him with thanksgiving (Ps 69:30). I will meditate on all Your work, and on Your deeds with thanksgiving (Ps 77:12). Bmen, blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen. (Rev. 7:12).

Published:

July 25, 2023, 8:03 AM

Grace to be Brought to You

In the scriptures, we seek and find,

God's promises, so faithful and kind.

Prophecies and promises, a treasure trove,

Guiding us on the path He wove.

Not for ourselves, we delve and learn,

But for future generations, we yearn.

Centuries foretold, a gift so divine,

God's salvation, eternally thine.

In Christ's grace, we bask and glow,

Called to be holy, in all we do.

Our faith transforms, our lives it molds,

Reflecting His holiness, our heart holds.

Suffering, a precursor to glory bright,

In Christ's life, a beacon of light.

Strive for holiness, in faithfulness trust,

In the promise of glory, hope is a must.

REFLECTION:

Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13)

God is faithful and reliable in His promises. It is important for us to study and understand God’s Word, as it contains prophecies and promises that are relevant to our lives. We should always diligently search and inquire through the scriptures about the grace that is to come. We are not serving ourselves but future our generations. We are privileged to be recipients of God’s salvation, a gift that was foretold centuries before we were born. In light of the grace we received through Christ, we are called to be holy in all our conduct. Our faith should transform our lives, leading us to live in a way that reflects God’s holiness. Suffering is often a precursor to glory, a pattern exemplified in the life of Christ. Let us strive for holiness, trust in God’s faithfulness, and find hope in the promise of glory after suffering.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We acknowledge Your faithfulness and reliability in all Your promises. We thank You for the gift of Your Word, a guide in our lives, filled with prophecies and promises that are relevant to us.

Help us to diligently search and inquire through the scriptures, to understand the grace that is to come. Remind us that we are not serving ourselves but future generations, and that we are privileged to be recipients of Your salvation, a gift that was foretold centuries before we were born.

In light of the grace we received through Christ, we are called to be holy in all our conduct. May our faith transform our lives, leading us to live in a way that reflects Your holiness.

We acknowledge that suffering is often a precursor to glory, a pattern exemplified in the life of Christ. Help us to strive for holiness, trust in Your faithfulness, and find hope in the promise of glory after suffering.

In Jesus' name, we pray,

Amen.

Pericope

II: The Gift and Call of God in Baptism

BLESSING / OBEDIENCE

1 Peter 1:3-12 / 13-16

First Reading | 1 Peter 1:10-16

10 Beloved: Concerning the salvation of your souls, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it, 11 investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the Good News to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look. 13 Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance 15 but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, 16 for it is written, Be holy because I am holy. 

Background:

The background of 1 Peter 1:10-16 is rooted in the context of the apostle Peter’s letter to the early Christians scattered across various regions. Here’s a brief overview:

Author and Date: The apostle Peter, once a fisherman and now a disciple of Jesus Christ, is the author of this letter. It was likely written from Rome (referred to as “Babylon”) around AD 62–63 during Nero’s reign.

Recipients: The letter is addressed to Christians scattered in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, areas north of the Taurus Mountains in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).

Purpose: Peter wrote this letter to encourage his readers to endure suffering and persecution by remaining faithful in times of distress. He assures them that they will certainly enjoy the salvation that the Lord has promised.

Themes: The letter emphasizes that those who suffer as Christians will be proven faithful when Christ returns. It also highlights that believers should set their hope on their end-time inheritance.

Now, focusing on the specific verses 1 Peter 1:10-16, these verses discuss the salvation that was prophesied by the prophets. They spoke of the grace that was to come and searched intently to understand the time and circumstances of these prophecies. These prophecies pointed to the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but future believers, and these things have now been announced through the preaching of the gospel.

This passage underscores the continuity of God’s plan of salvation, linking the Old Testament prophets with the New Testament believers. It also emphasizes the call to holiness in light of the grace received through Christ.

Learning Lessons:

1 Peter 1:10-16 offers several important lessons for believers:

The Value of Prophecy: The prophets diligently searched and inquired about the grace that was to come. This teaches us the importance of studying and understanding God’s Word, as it contains prophecies and promises that are relevant to our lives.

The Privilege of Salvation: The prophets realized that they were serving not themselves but future generations. This underscores the privilege we have as recipients of God’s salvation, a gift that was foretold centuries before we were born.

The Call to Holiness: In light of the grace received through Christ, believers are called to be holy in all their conduct. This is a reminder that our faith should transform our lives, leading us to live in a way that reflects God’s holiness.

The Continuity of God’s Plan: The passage links the Old Testament prophets with New Testament believers, highlighting the continuity of God’s plan of salvation. This assures us of God’s faithfulness and the reliability of His promises.

The Sufferings and Glories of Christ: The prophets prophesied about the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. This teaches us that suffering is often a precursor to glory, a pattern exemplified in the life of Christ.

These lessons encourage us to study God’s Word, appreciate the gift of salvation, strive for holiness, trust in God’s faithfulness, and find hope in the promise of glory after suffering.

Grace Overflowed

Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, 

so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign 

through justification for eternal life 

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

ROMANS 5:20-21

Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all (Rom 5:12). If by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many (Rom 5:15). 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.” (Lk 12:35-38)

For if, by the transgression of one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ (Rom 5:17). 

In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous. (Rom 5:18-19)

Sacrifice or oblation You wished not, but ears open to obedience You gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings You sought not; then said I, “Behold I come.” “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, to do Your will, O my God, is my delight, and Your law is within my heart!” I announced Your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know. (Ps 40:7-10)

May all who seek You exult and be glad in You, and may those who love Your salvation say ever, “The Lord be glorified.” (Ps 40:17)

Grace of Apostleship

Through Him we have received the grace of apostleship, 

to bring about the obedience of faith, 

for the sake of His name, among all the Gentiles. 

ROMANS 1:5

Father in heaven, You are the one true source of all graces and blessings that brings peace and prosperity each day of our lives. I praise and thank You through Your Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ setting me apart in accordance with Your will and purpose.

Today, I humbly ask and pray for the power of Your Most Holy Spirit in me to stand as a living witness and instrument of Your grace, to bring about the obedience of faith. I do confess that I am still very much a work in progress in as far as my calling to be holy is concerned. It is impossible for me to save myself from sin and only Christ can transform me to be the person You want me to be. 

It is not me but You in me that makes me holy. Your Spirit of holiness in me unites my true being into Yours for in truth, I came from You and nothing can take me aways from You. I belong to You and You alone.

May this day and the rest of my days bring much glory and praise to Your Name through Jesus Christ Your Son in whom all good things come. Amen.

Grace bestowed in Abundance

Everything indeed is for you, 

so that the grace bestowed in abundance 

on more and more people 

may cause the thanksgiving to overflow 

for the glory of God.

(2 Corinthians 4:15)

When the LORD restored our fortunes, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; "The LORD has done great things for us." The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Ps 126:1-3,6)

Lord, restore our fortunes like the watercourses! May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! (Ps 126:1-4-5). Thank you so much for the abundance of grace that truly makes my joy full and complete. With much love and thanksgiving I pray, in Jesus Name. Amen.


Pericope:
THE PARADOX OF THE MINISTRY - 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
THE REVERSAL OF ZION'S FORTUNE - Psalm 126:1-6 

Published:

July 25, 2018, 8:22 AM
July 25, 2014, 8:59 AM

BY THE GRACE OF GOD

But by the grace of God I am what I am, 

and his grace to me has not been ineffective. 

Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; 

not I, however, 

but the grace of God that is with me. 

1 Corinthians 15:10

Published:

May 3, 2017, 6:08 AM