28-Jan-24 (Mark 1:21-28)

Jesus can be quite amazing, but he can also be quite challenging. For instance, people were amazed at the authority with which he spoke, but his ideas of power and authority challenge our coercive understanding of power at its core.
Jesus said that true power is shown by being a servant and true authority comes from loving others and loving God. He charged us in the Church to continue his work in that way.
So, we seek to show the world who God is by loving each and every person, not just in word, but in action, such as serving them in food pantries, helping them to find shelter and clothing, visiting them in prison and when they're confined to their home.
We seek to show the world who God is by ministries that happen right around here and all across the world. And we support those ministries with our time, our abilities, and our financial resources.
Let's consider that as we take up today's offering.

Prayer:

Please join me now in prayer.
God, who sent your love to us in the person of Jesus, the Christ, we pray that we live out that love in our own lives and in the ministries of the Church. Bless this offering that we return to you. Use it to teach people the Good News, reach out to those in need, and making ministries that are reflections of your love happen here and around the world.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Christ, AMEN