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A Reader's Theater rendering of St. Luke's Passion Narrative, from the treachery of Judas to the burial of Christ.

Is there any good news in the middle of this mess? You bet! The good news that has sustained the people of Jesus through many crises and continues to change the world. Read Philippians 1 and take note of every use of the word gospel, which means “good news.” Consider its context and think through how Paul was using the word.

Covid-19 has people feeling more than a little nervous. History is full of scary times--famines, plagues, and wars--but behind history is a strong, loving God. The Apostle Paul describes our God as “him who is able.” He is able during a crisis or pandemic. He “is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to his power...” That power is already at work among us to accomplish great things. Let’s work with it and take advantage of every opportunity this crisis affords to trust God and love people.

Some things require strength. The Apostle Paul surprises us with the revelation that it takes strength to grasp (and, I suppose, hold onto) the love of Christ and together we can become strong enough!

Paul prays that his Christian friends would be empowered. He knew that God’s work among them would come to a halt without power, so he prays for them to be “strengthened with power.”

If Christ is in you, he may see lots of success or lots or failure over the next few years, but he will undoubtedly see glory. That is the amazing promise of God.

How can we discern what's good from what's best? When we ask: "What has to happen in order to discern what is best?" we're assuming that discernment is primarily a procedural thing, as if discernment is just a matter of following the right steps. But there's a prior and more important question: "What kind of people do we need to be to discern what is best?" The Apostle Paul's surprising answer to that question is: We have to be people with a healthy love life.

Your God knows you and he loves you; he loves you even though he knows you – loves you completely. You might even say he’s crazy about you – after all, he gave his only begotten Son for you. And there’s more: you have the ability to genuinely please this awesome, loving God – to “give him real delight.”