September 13, 2022

"Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves ... God sent into the world a unique person, neither a philosopher nor a general ... but a Saviour, with the power to forgive."

That’s from Queen Elizabeth II in her 2011 Christmas Address. You can’t get more to the heart of the gospel than that – God sends us a forgiving Savior.  This is Paul’s theme from our 1 Timothy reading in this past week’s Sunday lectionary.

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

We do need saving from ourselves. And we do have a Savior.

“O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Proper 19 – BCP)