St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“ ‘satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat’.” (Luke 22 v 31)

Jesus, the source, the sustenance,

The means and the measure of true holiness,

Can we afford to be without this quality added to life?

It is the Lord Jesus who gifts wholeness to us,

As He lived and died entirely for us,

Offering His perfection as a notable sacrifice.

The Lord God then, because of His mercy,

Accepts us as having been made righteous,

For Jesus claims us as His own family,

Sending the Spirit to us to develop a likeness.

We have to seek to resemble the Lord Jesus,

He who was upright in all things,

Completely compliant with the Father’s will,

Always obedient however hard the task.

“ ‘Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’.” (Matthew 6 v 9, 10)

Yes, it is a big ask to emulate this holiness of Jesus.

But Jesus knowing this for He lived in our world,

Subject to the same trials, temptations,

Challenges, choices, difficulties and dilemmas.

Therefore He is compassionate towards us,

Knowing our weaknesses, wanting us to overcome them.

So He sends the attentive, life enhancing Spirit.

The Spirit builds up our friendship with Jesus.

He responds to the Lord Jesus’ call to help us,

So becomes the Paraclete standing beside us,

And an Advocate who will plead our cause.

We need the Spirit with us, working through us,

Just as we need the Lord Jesus as our Saviour Mentor.

“ ‘I am among you as the One who serves’.” (Luke 22 v 27)

“ ‘I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail, and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brothers (and sisters)’.” (Luke 22 v 32)

But as we are told to “Be on your guard and be ready. You have to be like servants left in charge of the master’s house while he is away. Each has his (her) appointed task, and someone is always on guard duty keeping watch...Be alert all the time! And I want everyone to hear and heed this

warning’.” (Mark 13 v 33, 34, 37 The Truth) We too, therefore must pray.

“ ‘Pray that you will not be tempted’,” (Luke 22 v 40) to doubt, to fear, to falter, become distracted, give up on Christian service as satan waits to pounce. Let us then, fix our focus on the Lord, who is Saviour and

Master listening to and learning from Him. Let us pray.