From The Pulpit To The Streets (stdavidsacna)

The God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him. - Luke 20:37-38In this Sunday's Gospel, we witness Jesus' conversation with the Sadducees. The Sadducees were the religious, political elite of the day, and they wished to entrap Jesus with their clever scheming. In responding to their question, Jesus teaches them and us that there is indeed hope and life after death.

On November 3, we celebrated the Saints who have, over the centuries, lived and died for the cause of the Gospel. Men and women just like us. Men and women who responded to the call of God. Men and women who witnessed to the overwhelming love of God.

“As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.” - C. S. Lewis, Mere ChristianityIn this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus narrates the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The one was self-righteous, and the other was self-examining. The one looked down on others, and the other looked to God. The one felt vindicated, the other was vindicated.

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus narrates the Parable of the Persistent Widow seeking justice. The Judge who "neither feared God nor regarded man" finally vindicated her saying, "This widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming."

In this Sunday's Gospel reading we find the disciples asking the Lord Jesus for an increase in their faith and Jesus responds, "If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, `Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." He goes on to illustrate the importance of obedience in the life of a disciple.

This Sunday's sermon is from Hebrews 11. “By Faith” the saints of yore moved forward. In order to move forward they had to turn their eyes away from the past. They left behind all things precious to them at one time to seek that which God had preordained for them.

Jesus sends out His followers into towns and villages to heal the sick and share the message of the Kingdom of God. He said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." Even today there are countless people who need to experience God. May we be those laborers who garner the plentiful harvest.

In this Sunday's Gospel reading Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is. Peter's answer, true to his character, is simple, straight forward, and spontaneous. He replies, "The Christ of God."

This Sunday's Gospel reading takes us to the city called Na'in. Jesus encounters a hapless widow grieving the loss of her son-her last bastion of support in a world dominated by men. And Jesus was filled with compassion. His compassion preceded His power.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity! (Reginald Heber) Learn and experience the unity of the Godhead - The Holy Trinity - God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,Let us Thine influence prove:Source of the old prophetic fire,Fountain of life and love.