stony ridge

Jesus pardons us, forgiving our sin, and then calls us to a new purpose--"catching" people.

Jesus is the Word made flesh--the embodiment of Truth. His words at times offend our sensibilities, go against our perceived sense of truth, contradict our assumptions and beliefs. When that happens, will we respond by shutting our ears to Him or by humbling ourselves to receive the Wisdom He brings?

The Law of the Lord reveals our sin and causes us to see our need for a Savior. The Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims God is for us, the forgiveness of our sins, life and salvation. By faith, we hear both words applying to us, and in the joy of the Lord, we share this Word with our neighbors.

Jesus gives us the best--Himself--in this life and in the life to come. By faith, we trust in His goodness and, remembering His promises, confidently come to Him with our concerns, knowing that He will do what is best for us.

"You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." These words of the Father to Jesus, the Son, confirmed and proclaimed His identity as the Beloved Son. If we ever wonder how things are between us and God, we need only return to our Baptism, where God spoke a word of promise to us; claiming us as His own beloved children through Christ.

Today we ponder anew the awesome mystery of the incarnation--the Word of God made flesh--a child, that we might become children of God!

Merry Christmas! To you is born this day a Savior, Christ the Lord!

Mary bearing Jesus--the very presence of God in human flesh--like the ark of the covenant did in times of old. In Him, God shows mercy to Mary, to Israel, and to all humanity.

Living in Christian Community

The Lord is coming! But who can stand when He appears? Those who know that they are forgiven in Christ Jesus.

Happy New Year! What are your resolutions for this new liturgical year? Caught by surprise? Jesus has some good ones for us--applicable in Advent and our whole lives long.

Jesus is a King unlike any other, of a kingdom unlike any other.

Wars, rumors of war, earthquakes, famines, pseudo-saviors...What is God trying to tell us? "Do not be alarmed; the end is yet to come." In times of uncertainty we live by faith in our Savior Jesus who is victorious over the grave and who has and will end all suffering.

Jesus wept at the tomb of His beloved friend, and He weeps over the cause of death and all sorrow--sin. At the cross, Jesus dealt with sin and death once for all. Risen from the dead, He never will die again. Our hope is that we who have been joined to Christ in a death like His will be raised to live with Him forever. Until that day, we weep with those who weep and encourage one another with the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus. 

Jesus is Truth--in the flesh. As His disciples we build our lives on His Word, which holds us fast in the storms of life.

When Jesus comes to town, everything changes. He stops and asks you, "What do you want me to do for you?" As we follow Him, we can ask our neighbors what they would have Jesus do for them and then pray with them for our Lord's mercy. 

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve--and He calls His disciples to do the same.

How hard is it to enter the kingdom of God? Harder, perhaps, than you think. And yet--with God all things are possible!

God exchanges our song of longing, "Those were the days," for a new song of victory in Jesus: "This is the day!" 

Who's the greatest? Who is deserving of our attention? Jesus upends our way of thinking, setting a small child in the midst of men arguing about such questions. He models in His living and His dying what it means to be great--to be servant of all. Risen from the dead, He serves us still, feeding us with His body and blood and sending us into service in His name.