The message: The appellation « God Reconciler » reveals in the first place His nature as love. Indeed, « God is love », declared the Apostle John (1 Jn 4:16), and as such He loves peace and loves reconciliating men. What is good, right and perfect is the fruit of the work of God’s love. Regarding the things He has created, it is written: « God saw all that he had made, and it was very good » Gen 1:31. Likewise, concerning the peaceful relationship between His people, the psalmist sang, « How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity » Ps 133:1, which means living at peace, as a result of love. This is how Jesus declared, « Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God » Mt 5:9. « Blessed » are those who are pleasing to God and who inherit Him and His kingdom, even eternal life (Rom 8:17). On this basis, the Apostle Paul commanded: « If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone » Rom 12:18. This is why he encouraged people to turn to God, saying, « Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God » 2 Cor 5:20b -21. Relationship of harmony between His creatures, particularly between men, is precious in the sight of God; therefore, He accomplished a work of redemption, which aims to purchase the sinner so that he may come back and be reconciled to Him. He paid this at a very high price, by the blood of Christ, His Son, consistently with the Apostle Peter’s statement, « For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect » 1 Pet 1:18-19. To this end, the Lord declared, « I will be their God. And they shall be my people » Jer 31:33b.
Monday, 15th: God reconciles His people to Himself.
« For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare […] » Jer 29:11.
Reading 1: Jn 3:16-21. Reading 2: Jer 29:11-14. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jer 29:11.
Introduction: God reconciles His people to Himself, in order to make them happy. Indeed, He is God of peace and grace. This reconciliation is the fruit of His people’s union with Him. Conversely, their separation from Him brings disaster and trouble which causes infirmity and diseases, losses, death as in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3). When Jesus came, He reconciled us, sinners, with His Father, saying, « Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid » Jn.14:27.
Tuesday, 16th: Jesus Christ reconciles us with God, the Father.
« I have come to call not the righteous but sinners » Mt 9:13b.
Reading 1: Lk 7:36-48. Reading 2: Mt 9:9-13. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 9:13.
Introduction: When Jesus visited Zacchaeus and entered his house, He declared, « For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost » Lk 19:10. Men are lost when they are separated from God, such as the prodigal son who left his father (Lk 15:13-17). Nonetheless, because of what Jesus did, « what was dead is alive again; and what was lost has been found » Lk 15:24a.
Wednesday, 17th: Jesus Christ, Guarantor of the covenant of peace through His blood.
« Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant » Heb 7:22.
Reading 1: Isa 49:8-10. Reading 2: Heb 7:18-25. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Heb 7:18-25.
Introduction: Jesus accomplished a perfect and everlasting salvation when He surrendered Himself to die on the cross as an atonement for our sins (1 Jn 2:2). In this respect, He declared to His disciples, « This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins » Mt 26:28. He made a covenant of peace, as « consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him » Heb 7:25a. Indeed, He affirmed, « I am the way, and the truth, and the life » Jn.14:6.
Thursday, 18th: ASCENSION DAY. God unites His people through reconciliation.
« So that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them » Jn 17:26b.
Reading 1: 1 Cor 12:12-20. Reading 2: Jn 17:24-26. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 17:26.
Introduction: It was Jesus’s major prayer for His disciples that they would know the Father’s love and be united with Him. God’s love leads men, indeed, to love and to love each other, at the example of Paul who said, « For the love of Christ urges us on […] » 2 Cor 5:14a. Jesus declared, « As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love » Jn 15:9. Paul commanded, « Make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind » Phil 2:2.
Friday, 19th: God seeks harmony with His people.
« I am standing at the door, knocking » Rev 3:20a.
Reading 1: Jer 3:18-22. Reading 2: Rev 3:15-22. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rev 3:20.
Introduction: Since men are not able to seek God, Jesus came to seek and visit them. Blessed are those who are able to welcome Him in the home of their lives like Zacchaeus, for He won’t hesitate to say, « Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham » Lk 19:9. In addition, He will say, « Whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me » Mt 10:40b.
Saturday, 20th: God makes an everlasting covenant of peace with His people.
« My covenant of peace shall not be removed » Isa 54:10c.
Reading 1: Heb 8:6-12. Reading 2: Isa 54:7-10. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa 54:10.
Introduction: God’s covenant of peace is a covenant of His love, according to His statement, « I will never leave you or forsake you » Heb 13:5. Indeed, the Lord has said, « I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you » Jer 31:3. « Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end » Jn 13:1b.
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