Build Yourselves Up On Your Most Holy Faith

This meditation is based on a passage for December 18, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Jude 17-25

Reflection and Question: Jude is a letter of encouragement to early Christians. Its authoritative power shines forth in this concluding section of teaching and benediction. The aspects of faithful living espoused here — pray in the Holy Spirit, keep in the love of God, look forward to mercy and have mercy on others — remind me forcefully of the LGBT Christians I know like Lisa Larges and Thomas Waters. I look to them as models for me of loving kindness in the face of scoffers, to use Jude’s word. Their example builds me up in my faith and I am deeply grateful for our friendship. What builds you up on your most holy faith? /p>

Prayer: And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating — to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of time. Yes. (Eugene Peterson, The Message, p. 2235)