When I preach, I often say, “Now, that’s good news!” I say this because I believe it’s essential to share good news whenever we encounter it. The good news of grace resonates through this week’s collect. In it, we ask God for grace to respond to Christ’s call of salvation, to understand the depths of God’s immense love for us, and to share his good news with all people.

As I read this collect, I recalled Paul’s words to the Corinthians: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) God promises new beginnings and fresh starts to all who say, “Yes,” to Christ. And because His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), fresh starts arise with the dawn of each new day. Isn’t this good news?!
 
I also reflected on Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians: “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (1:18-19) He goes on to identify that power as the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him at the right hand of Almighty God. It’s the same power that helps us understand God's deep and boundless love in Christ. Again, this is good news!
 
May this good news inspire us to desire a deeper relationship with God. May it also motivate us to share His good news with everyone we know!
 
The Lord's peace be with you!

Joe