Preparation for Holy Communion

As we prepare for Holy Communion, we are compelled to invite Christ’s light to guide us through our suffering, struggles, and confusion. His light brings warmth and joy...

In the second half of Psalm 81, God calls His people to "listen to Him" and return to Him (v.8-14).

At times, one could feel that they are “not enough.” This is most often fueled by the bombardment of media, advertising, perceived social expectations, etc. Matthew 22:37-40

The image in verse 38 of Luke 6 is that of a full measure for grain. The fullness becomes a norm of conduct since it connotes an unrestrained, merciful standard in judging and giving.

Psalm 107:43: “Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.”

Though we may fall to temptation, “God does not punish us as sinners. We only need to look around us to realize this...

When God came to the Garden, He asked Adam and Eve the rhetorical question – “Where are you?”

The ultimate act of mercy is seen in God sending Jesus to save humanity from sin.

Repentance involves a deep awareness that goes beyond recognizing our own sin—it also calls us to acknowledge our smallness before God, our utter dependence on Him.

Holy Communion is a sacrament of fellowship: together we gather around the altar of Christ, together we partake of His body and blood...

Even in Revelation, Jesus is the Lamb who was slain (Revelation 5:12); He bears the marks of His sacrifice to His disciples (John 20:26-28); He remains the Crucified and Risen Lord. Jesus Christ...

We proclaim the death of Christ until He comes. Consider: what is your witness of the crucified Son of God?

By allowing Jesus—who has won the victory over evil and death—to help us overcome the evil within ourselves (i.e. selfishness and egocentricity, anger and hatred toward our neighbor – see also Mark 7:20-23).

Particularly in approaching the moments of Holy Communion, there is an “Amen” after the minister pronounces the consecration...

At the dinner table, as Jesus breaks the bread, the moment of recognition happens: “their eyes were opened and they knew Him” (Luke 24:31).

“Resentment, rancour (a feeling of hate) and the desire for revenge separate us from God because they are contrary to God’s nature.

In the moments of the Lord’s Prayer, we are gathered, unified in Him (in praying the prayer He taught), and we sanctify these holy moments apart from all other moments of the week.

“For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:17).

“The Greek text of Hebrews 12:2 can be translated in two ways: “Christ renounced joy to bring His sacrifice (Philippians 2: 1-8...

Psalm 51:16-17 offers a poignant parallel to Isaiah 1, reinforcing the idea that God is not pleased with empty sacrifices but desires “a broken and a contrite heart.”

It’s important that we have a realistic view of our inclination toward sin. The hymn writer of old wrote that we’re “prone to wander” and “prone to leave the God we love.”

In the moments of the Lord’s Prayer, we pray “Your kingdom come, Your will be done…”

The disciples on the road to Emmaus had multiple opportunities to recognize that it was Christ who was walking with them.

God offers us His forgiveness in every divine service, and we are grateful to Him for this. However, we must admit ...