FRIDAY (July 31, 2020)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Gospel Sentence
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. “ (Romans 8:28)
Reading
““Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:47–50)
Meditation
Betwixt and between. The now and the not yet. Inaugurated eschatology. These are phrases describing the tension of being a Christian. Christ gives us His kingdom—Himself, yet in this life it is not fully realized. He still has work to do (as do we!) in bringing all people to salvation. That is His ultimate desire. On that last day, the day of judgement, we will stand securely before Christ and enter into that space of complete love, joy and peace where there will be no more sorrow, no more tears, no more pain. For those who have rejected the kingdom—rejected Christ—they will be separated out and cast into the place of weeping and desolation forever.
Silence
Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Father, we lift up John-Paul before you this day, asking that You would give him your mercy all the days of his life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and love, that, receiving what You have promised, we may love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer