All Souls Bangor Rev. Chad L. Poland

This message is a reflection on the Sermon on the Mount as a whole.  During this section of Matthew, Jesus offers some teachings that seem to set the bar impossibly high.  Rather than trying to explain this difficulty away, perhaps it is best to remember that in these teachings Jesus is revealing God's character not just a human ethical ideal.  Perhaps the role of these teachings is to prepare us for grace.  Paul suggests that the law is meant to reveal sin as sin.  Perhaps Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount accomplish the same.  While Jesus does call us to strive toward obedience, his teachings here also remind us of our need for grace.  It is this need which God graciously meets through the cross of Christ.

As we reflect on the call of the first disciples we are reminded that following Christ often requires leaving something behind.  Indeed this is the case in almost any pivotal moment in our lives.  It is not enough know the direction we ought to go, we must be willing to lay down that which is holding us back.

Reflections on the Baptism of Christ

As Christians we are called to be a light unto the world.  While we can't cast out all the darkness we can make a difference.  The world is full of darkness, but with God's help we can make it a little less so and often this is enough to make a real impact in the life of another.  Sometimes shedding just a little light and making things just a little less dark is enough for someone to find their way home to God. 

Today we consider a challenging text.  The "murder of the innocents," as it is called, is a horrific thing to imagine.  While this particular event may seem distant, happening so long ago in a distant land, we continue to live in a world full of suffering and injustice.  Sometimes it even comes close to home.  Though Christ is born, the world has not changed in this regard.  Though we have welcomed Christ in our lives, they too are not immune from trouble and trial.  Our text reminds us that even while such thing persist, God remain in our midst and his purposes for our world and lives stand unthwarted.  

A few reflections on the nativity of Jesus as we gathered for worship on Christmas day.