Dear Fathers, Friends in Christ
"For the grace of God has appeared, saving all"
(Titus, 2:11)
Jesus came to save us once and for all. But His salvation is not something confined to some future date. No indeed, He told us in no uncertain terms that the Kingdom of God is at hand. He came to bring salvation--not only forgiveness of sin but direct instruction to reach out and touch the Kingdom here and now as you live.
Blessed are those who wait upon the Lord. Blessed are those who are doing His work. Jesus tells us that the servant whose lamp is lit and who is awaiting the return of the Master is blessed indeed.
What does it take to be this servant? Prayer--daily prayer. And what else? Caring for His family, for our brothers and sisters. How do we light the lamps that we are supposed to have been shining upon His return? By obeying His commandments. And which commandments are these? Probably most important--whatsoever you have done for one of these--the least of My little ones--that you have done unto Me.
When we give the thirsty, water; the hungry, food; those in prison, our company and prayers, we are keeping the lamp lit. And that lamp will not only greet the Master upon His return, but it will also greet all those who need a little light, a little warmth, or a little sense of the way home.
"Blessed are those servants. . . ."
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
