![]() “The gifts the Lord gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 During the Easter Season we announce the Risen Lord, Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, indeed. Alleluia! What God has done through Jesus life, death, and resurrection brings eternal healing as we are faithful, trusting, and prayerful. That is what we hear in the life of Elijah the prophet. What We Can Learn from Elijah? “Even in the face of adversity and discouragement, Elijah remained faithful. Throughout the Bible, he is held up as an example of godliness and might. Not only is he mentioned later in the Old Testament, but also in all four gospels and two epistles. He even appears at the transfiguration with Jesus, and when Jesus began his ministry, some thought that He was Elijah returned to earth. The story of Elijah can be a comfort and an encouragement to us. Being a strong person of God does not mean that we will never feel discouraged, but rather, it means looking to God when faced with adversity. Elijah felt alone, and didn’t understand God’s plan, but he still searched God out. In return, he constantly saw God’s power displayed in his weakness: when He brought the widow’s son back from the dead, when He triumphed on Mt. Carmel, and when He rained down fire from heaven upon the king’s men. For his faithfulness, Elijah was one of the few individuals in the Bible to be taken into heaven.” – Basilica in DC, Blog We are not all called to be a prophet, but our faith does call us to be about the work of God in our time and place. 12To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” So what are you called to be and do as a follower of Jesus? Whatever it may be, let us do it in the following Paul’s direction he gave to the Ephesians. We are knit together facing adversity by speaking the truth in love… as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” This is our calling as members of St. Luke’s to create a mission post, so we and others can share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a world that so desperately needs it. 14We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” – Ephesians 4:14-16 Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, indeed. Alleluia!
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