Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)  

 

[Jesus praying for his Church before arrest] I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 

Matthew 17: 20-23 (NRSV) 

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AUGUST 6, 2025

This past weekend my family drove 6 hours through construction, blazing temperatures, and packed semi-truck traffic to Brown County (southern Indiana) to celebrate my grandparents’ 70th wedding anniversary. To be honest, I was a little nervous about attending. I have not seen many of my cousins in years, even a decade or more. It just feels awkward. I grew up overseas as a missionary kid, so while my cousins had the shared experience of growing up together and doing childhood together, I didn’t. I was nervous about “gathering” with my family.  

But on the last evening we shared a catered meal together and had a party celebrating my grandparents’ 70 years of marriage. All 40 of us were invited to share a special memory about my grandparents. One by one, my aunts, uncles, cousins, and even my cousins’ kids stood up and shared how much my grandparents meant to them. Some shared how their love and support got them through a divorce. Some shared how their love and wisdom was the reason they didn’t get a divorce but instead worked on their marriage. Some shared how they were the only ones who had been present through the tumult of their lives.  

Story after story, my family members shared how much my grandparents’ unconditional love and faith had held them through good times and bad times. There was a lot of crying and so much love.  

I remember thinking: this is why we gather. Because we need each other. None of us are perfect, but we need to remind each other of the unconditional love God pours out on us every single day. Unconditional love changes everything.  

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • Who in your life has loved you well? Describe what that looked like. 
  • Who is in your circles to love? 
  • How do we love each other well as a church family?  

Church Reading Plan: Judges 20; Acts 24