New Life
Our reading this morning comes from John 5:19-29, where Jesus continues to talk about his relationship with the Father. The conversation turns to talking about resurrection and new life:
'Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.'
John 5:24 [NIV]
New life means receiving a new life in the spirit so that the miracle of the resurrection is already taking place inside them, when they die physically they will already have that new life.
Today's Collect refers to Saints Perpetua and Felicity, young women martyred for their faith (one pregnant, one a nursing mother). When Perpetua was challenged by her pagan father, the following is believed to have happened:
Perpetua's answer was simple and clear. Pointing to a water jug, she asked her father, "See that pot lying there? Can you call it by any other name than what it is?"
Her father answered, "Of course not." Perpetua responded, "Neither can I call myself by any other name than what I am -- a Christian."
Even then, Perpetua was assured of the new life in Christ and faced death knowing this.
The Collect of the day:
Holy God,
who gave great courage to Perpetua, Felicity and their companions:
grant that we may be worthy to climb the ladder of sacrifice
and be received into the garden of peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Emma Higgins | |
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