Ancient Faith, Living Church: Faithful & Focused

The foundation of our Ancient Faith is Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith and our Savior. The Church lives to follow him. Today, we hear Jesus rebuke two of his disciples and reproach three would-be disciples. We might wonder why Jesus seems so welcoming to those who are outcasts and so discouraging to those who want to follow him. God wants us to know that following Christ calls for total commitment. The life of faith walks in lock step with the will of God and does not follow the meandering ways of this world. Our Prayer of the Day says it well, “Pour into our hearts such love for you that, loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises…” and our Verse of the Day aptly summarizes this Sunday. Love for God flows freely from hearts that have learned of God’s love for them. Only this love produces the fruit of the Spirit!