Grace and peace in the name of the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord!
As we move into October, the appointed lessons draw us into the heart of how faith responds to the presence of God. Whether in moments of healing, through parables, or in bold public statements, Jesus stands at the center of both faithful and faltering responses. He does not force a particular way of thinking but instead opens our eyes to what a faithful response might look like—and where we so often stumble. His words invite us to reflect on how we respond to God’s healing and presence in our own lives.
Again and again, we see that Jesus’ focus is on restoration—restoration of individuals and restoration within community. He heals, and then sends the healed to local authorities so their wholeness might be recognized. He raises questions about who serves and who is served as an expression of faith. He lifts up persistence amid struggle and injustice. He challenges the familiar story of Israel’s history to reveal the truth of God’s freedom.
Through all of this, Jesus points us to where God is found: in acts of healing, in being unbound from the expectations of the world, and in seeking God’s justice. It is there that we are drawn back into community and made whole together.
Restoration is not found in isolation, nor is it reserved for those who know the right words or follow the correct patterns. Instead, it is revealed in faith—and in faith lived out within community. This is not something that can be easily measured or counted.
So, are we merely witnesses to God’s restoration, or are we participants in what God is doing? Many of us would rather watch from the sidelines. Yet when we are drawn in, it does not mean we are unworthy of God’s presence—it means God is the one who restores community, not us. God’s continual presence reminds us that God is not finished with us yet! And that is very good news indeed.
God remains active in our world and in our lives. To notice where God is at work is itself an act of faith, and to celebrate the restoration God brings is part of our calling as the body of Christ.
May this season be one where we open ourselves to God’s restoring presence and learn to respond with faith, persistence, and joy.
Pastor Chris