Ajith Fernando: Spiritual Living in a Secular World. Monarch, UK 2002 (Earlier version in 1993). 192 pages. (Review copy miss-bound after p160).
Ajith Fernando has been national Director of Youth For Christ in Sri Lanka since 1976 and is a widely regarded speaker within south and south-east Asia. His talks and writings typically have a heartwarming godliness, a gritty realism, directness and a great deal of common sense.
'Spiritual Living' is written not so much for Christian workers as for believers whose calling is in the everyday world of professional practice along with the cut and thrust of business and government service. Hence the title 'Spiritual Living in a Secular World'.
The book draws deeply from the Old Testament book of Daniel. Hence the subtitle, 'Applying the Book of Daniel Today'. However, it is neither commentary nor exposition and should not be evaluated as such. Rather it is a series of sequential reflections, responses and challenges drawn from issues raised in Daniel and then applied with vigor to today’s scene.
There are big emphasises on personal holiness, Bible reading, prayerfulness, personal witness and dealing with persecution. While some of this has its most direct applications to the writer’s region, there are plenty of transferrable lessons that should make the book useful elsewhere.
There are the inevitable quibbles to be made here and there but this is a book to be enthusiastically positive about. Above all, it is a book that should motivate and help Christian people to present their whole selves as living sacrifices which are holy and pleasing to the Lord.
Here are a few samples from the chapters on prayer:
‘If you have lost the taste for prayer, begin praying today. It is too important an activity and too joyous an activity to postpone any longer.’ (p135)
‘Prayer is the supreme expression of our love-relationship with God.’ (p140)
‘So when we are faced with a big challenge, it is wise to stop our busy activity and give time to fasting and prayer.’ (p145)
‘Praying is the most powerful thing we do on earth.’ (p153)
‘If you are out of touch with prayer, it is unlikely that you will get back in touch after retirement, unless you seriously repent of your prayerlessness.’ (p153).
Monday, March 29, 2010
A Pastor's Reading
Biographies of well-used pastors show that they are typically readers – big time readers.
Why should a busy pastor invest time to read amidst all the demands an opportunities of ministry?
UPDATED Consider the non-reading pastor whose knowledge is fossilised at the time he left seminary or college. He will gradually become stale and his ministry characterised by hackneyed clichés and too-familiar ‘lines’. In time, he runs the danger of becoming a museum piece himself.
NOURISHED Pastors typically give and give again in their ministry. Hopefully, others are nourished for spiritual life and growth by his ministry. But from whence is the pastor nourished, especially if he is in a solo-pastor situation? Among the several helps, good reading can bring rich nourishment to the pastor’s soul, mind and emotions.
MENTALLY ACTIVE Depending on the setting, it’s easy for pastors to slip into a mental rut where there are lots of ministry challenges to sap their mental energy but not much to keep their mind ‘fit’. Sermon preparation can slip into a familiar template and the pastor’s theological and other frameworks can become unexamined and undeveloped ‘givens’. Careful reading can help keep a pastor’s mind open, flexible and growing as the years pass with obvious benefits.
How does a pastor read?
A pastor’s reading can be categorized as follows:
• Christian: theology and Bible; ministry; devotional
• Non-Christian: various subdivisions within fiction and non-fiction.
Here’s a pattern that seems common.
PRE-SERVICE: The burgeoning pastor typically reads heavily in theological college, both in materials necessary to pass through the studies and in associated areas of interest. At this stage there is likely to be little interest in reading on pastoral practice. There may be some devotional reading.
INSERVICE: Anecdotal evidence suggests that reading soon slows and also becomes quite functional. That is, the pastor reads why is needed for sermon and other ministry preparation. Commentaries come high up the list along with materials on pastoral ‘tips and technique’. How many books on leadership are being read by pastors? Some devotional reading is common, to help support a soul that is under stress. Likewise with biographies of Christian leaders. Wider Christian reading shrinks and as for reading non-Christian materials – that may be replaced by collapsing in front of the TV at a wearied day’s end.
How could a pastor read?
Here’s some wisdom gleaned from experience.
PLAN
Have a reading plan of what to read and keep a record to help stick with it. A plan helps keep us reading and keeps the balances that we seek. Is a target of one book a month reasonable for you? What is reasonable? Set your own plan and stick to it.
SCHEDULE
Book up reading times into the diary. Is there a quiet hour somewhere each day that can be used for reading? First thing in the morning? Straight after lunch when work energy is lower but the mind is reflective? Later at night when meetings are done, our family is in bed and a gentle wind down towards sleep with a book is better than TV? Whatever time works for you, block it out and guard it by telling people that you have an activity scheduled.
BALANCE
I try for a balance of reading 50% non-Christian material and 50% Christian. (This excludes reading done in specific ministry preparation and thus the final result is a greater share of Christian reading).
Non-Christian reading might take in biography, hobby-related material, cultural analysis, current affairs (can you get someone’s just-read Economist or other quality magazine); novels; the current fad book or whatever takes our fancy. Quite apart from the pleasure of it, such reading helps the pastor keep a little more in touch with the world of the people whom he serves. In the longer view, it will help with illustrations, examples and applications for his ministry.
Among Christian reading there are several balances. It can be good to read in areas of particular interest. New pastors might give some time to reading more on areas that caught their eye in seminary but for which there was no time to follow through. It’s also good to watch for areas of comparative neglect. For example, to read through a systematic theology if this has not been done for some time. Likewise with current approaches on apologetics. Arising from the patterns notes earlier, it may be helpful to restrict reading on pastoral ‘tips and techniques’ to a reasonable balance and never to let it crowd out reading on the substance of the faith.
A final balance. It’s easy to slip into a pattern of reading mostly within your own ‘frame’. That is to read people with who you agree, who are trusted authors, whose general approach mirrors your own. That’s helpful to reinforce and fill out your frame. However, might it also be helpful to test and examine your frame by reading other materials? This may indeed reinforce the frame, or perhaps modify it and maybe take us in a new direction altogether.
Why should a busy pastor invest time to read amidst all the demands an opportunities of ministry?
UPDATED Consider the non-reading pastor whose knowledge is fossilised at the time he left seminary or college. He will gradually become stale and his ministry characterised by hackneyed clichés and too-familiar ‘lines’. In time, he runs the danger of becoming a museum piece himself.
NOURISHED Pastors typically give and give again in their ministry. Hopefully, others are nourished for spiritual life and growth by his ministry. But from whence is the pastor nourished, especially if he is in a solo-pastor situation? Among the several helps, good reading can bring rich nourishment to the pastor’s soul, mind and emotions.
MENTALLY ACTIVE Depending on the setting, it’s easy for pastors to slip into a mental rut where there are lots of ministry challenges to sap their mental energy but not much to keep their mind ‘fit’. Sermon preparation can slip into a familiar template and the pastor’s theological and other frameworks can become unexamined and undeveloped ‘givens’. Careful reading can help keep a pastor’s mind open, flexible and growing as the years pass with obvious benefits.
How does a pastor read?
A pastor’s reading can be categorized as follows:
• Christian: theology and Bible; ministry; devotional
• Non-Christian: various subdivisions within fiction and non-fiction.
Here’s a pattern that seems common.
PRE-SERVICE: The burgeoning pastor typically reads heavily in theological college, both in materials necessary to pass through the studies and in associated areas of interest. At this stage there is likely to be little interest in reading on pastoral practice. There may be some devotional reading.
INSERVICE: Anecdotal evidence suggests that reading soon slows and also becomes quite functional. That is, the pastor reads why is needed for sermon and other ministry preparation. Commentaries come high up the list along with materials on pastoral ‘tips and technique’. How many books on leadership are being read by pastors? Some devotional reading is common, to help support a soul that is under stress. Likewise with biographies of Christian leaders. Wider Christian reading shrinks and as for reading non-Christian materials – that may be replaced by collapsing in front of the TV at a wearied day’s end.
How could a pastor read?
Here’s some wisdom gleaned from experience.
PLAN
Have a reading plan of what to read and keep a record to help stick with it. A plan helps keep us reading and keeps the balances that we seek. Is a target of one book a month reasonable for you? What is reasonable? Set your own plan and stick to it.
SCHEDULE
Book up reading times into the diary. Is there a quiet hour somewhere each day that can be used for reading? First thing in the morning? Straight after lunch when work energy is lower but the mind is reflective? Later at night when meetings are done, our family is in bed and a gentle wind down towards sleep with a book is better than TV? Whatever time works for you, block it out and guard it by telling people that you have an activity scheduled.
BALANCE
I try for a balance of reading 50% non-Christian material and 50% Christian. (This excludes reading done in specific ministry preparation and thus the final result is a greater share of Christian reading).
Non-Christian reading might take in biography, hobby-related material, cultural analysis, current affairs (can you get someone’s just-read Economist or other quality magazine); novels; the current fad book or whatever takes our fancy. Quite apart from the pleasure of it, such reading helps the pastor keep a little more in touch with the world of the people whom he serves. In the longer view, it will help with illustrations, examples and applications for his ministry.
Among Christian reading there are several balances. It can be good to read in areas of particular interest. New pastors might give some time to reading more on areas that caught their eye in seminary but for which there was no time to follow through. It’s also good to watch for areas of comparative neglect. For example, to read through a systematic theology if this has not been done for some time. Likewise with current approaches on apologetics. Arising from the patterns notes earlier, it may be helpful to restrict reading on pastoral ‘tips and techniques’ to a reasonable balance and never to let it crowd out reading on the substance of the faith.
A final balance. It’s easy to slip into a pattern of reading mostly within your own ‘frame’. That is to read people with who you agree, who are trusted authors, whose general approach mirrors your own. That’s helpful to reinforce and fill out your frame. However, might it also be helpful to test and examine your frame by reading other materials? This may indeed reinforce the frame, or perhaps modify it and maybe take us in a new direction altogether.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Sounds of Easter
Consider the sounds of the Passion ….
Glad shouts as the king came to his crowd’s acclaim
Rustling as branches and cloaks were strewn
Secretive mutterings as the conspiracy was tested and refined to evil’s perfection
The breaking of bread and pouring of wine
30 clinks as silver poured to the betrayer’s hands
Clash of swords as the soldiers followed their orders
The spewing lies of the trial
The denials by the one called ‘the Rock’
Roars as the baying crowd sated its blood lust
Pained and gulping breaths as the cross was borne up Calvary’s hill
Clang of hammer upon nails and the crunch of bones and body
Silence … the awesome sound of his silences
The last words
My God my God, why have you abandoned me?
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.
It is finished.
Earth’s curtain torn to open Heaven’s door.
May we have grace to hear God’s gospel in Easter’s sounds.
Glad shouts as the king came to his crowd’s acclaim
Rustling as branches and cloaks were strewn
Secretive mutterings as the conspiracy was tested and refined to evil’s perfection
The breaking of bread and pouring of wine
30 clinks as silver poured to the betrayer’s hands
Clash of swords as the soldiers followed their orders
The spewing lies of the trial
The denials by the one called ‘the Rock’
Roars as the baying crowd sated its blood lust
Pained and gulping breaths as the cross was borne up Calvary’s hill
Clang of hammer upon nails and the crunch of bones and body
Silence … the awesome sound of his silences
The last words
My God my God, why have you abandoned me?
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.
It is finished.
Earth’s curtain torn to open Heaven’s door.
May we have grace to hear God’s gospel in Easter’s sounds.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Champion
The champion is a popular theme in books and movies. The champion is someone who acts on behalf of a whole group of people to overcome opposition, to win the day and to bring peace.
There’s a current movie example of this theme as Alice faces Jabberwocky in ‘Alice in Wonderland’. It is her unlikely and unwanted destiny to face the dreaded creature on behalf of the White Queen and the forces of good and thus to bring a fairytale ending of sweetness and peace.
The champion theme is also present in the Bible. Think of Samson and his single-handed defeats of the Philistines (Jud 15-16). Note however whose champion he is. Samson is nothing but an immoral braggart and oaf without God’s choice to restrain his vices, set his destiny and empower him for action (Jud 13:4-5, 24-25; 15:14; 16:20). God made a hero our of Samson.
David is another champion sent from God to save his people. This is seen in his many battles against the Philistines and especially in his defeat of Goliath (1 Sam 17). David did not defeat Goliath through of the triumph of his faith but was the means of the triumph of the Lord. Thus he discarded the weapons of earthly might and went forth to slay and thus demonstrate that the battle and the victory is the Lord’s (eg 1 Sam 17:38-40; 46-47).
Jesus can be interpreted through this theme. He is the supreme champion from God. He was a priestly champion as we are seeing in the morning series from Hebrews (Hebs 7-10). As priest, he could go when none had gone before (the heavenly sanctuary) and make the one effective sacrifice that ended the era of defective priests offering defective sacrifices. He is the champion who disarmed the rulers and authorities and nailed our sin-debt to his cross where it is forever harmless (Col 2:13-15). He is the ‘author’ or ‘founder’ of our faith – the trailblazer of the path to God (Heb 12:2).
Alice is a typical fairytale champion, without flaws or failure. Earth’s champions are flawed with imperfections and eventually overcome by feebleness or a superior foe. This was true alsp for Samson and David. It is true by the champions we may see today in sport, politics, religion and other roles.
Jesus is neither a fairytale nor a flawed champion. He is the son of God who was like us in every way except sin (Heb 2:17-18; 4:15). As such he is the only, and the last, champion that any of us every need. Let’s enjoy the fantasy champions in movies and books, but let’s put our faith in heaven’s champion and keep it there.
There’s a current movie example of this theme as Alice faces Jabberwocky in ‘Alice in Wonderland’. It is her unlikely and unwanted destiny to face the dreaded creature on behalf of the White Queen and the forces of good and thus to bring a fairytale ending of sweetness and peace.
The champion theme is also present in the Bible. Think of Samson and his single-handed defeats of the Philistines (Jud 15-16). Note however whose champion he is. Samson is nothing but an immoral braggart and oaf without God’s choice to restrain his vices, set his destiny and empower him for action (Jud 13:4-5, 24-25; 15:14; 16:20). God made a hero our of Samson.
David is another champion sent from God to save his people. This is seen in his many battles against the Philistines and especially in his defeat of Goliath (1 Sam 17). David did not defeat Goliath through of the triumph of his faith but was the means of the triumph of the Lord. Thus he discarded the weapons of earthly might and went forth to slay and thus demonstrate that the battle and the victory is the Lord’s (eg 1 Sam 17:38-40; 46-47).
Jesus can be interpreted through this theme. He is the supreme champion from God. He was a priestly champion as we are seeing in the morning series from Hebrews (Hebs 7-10). As priest, he could go when none had gone before (the heavenly sanctuary) and make the one effective sacrifice that ended the era of defective priests offering defective sacrifices. He is the champion who disarmed the rulers and authorities and nailed our sin-debt to his cross where it is forever harmless (Col 2:13-15). He is the ‘author’ or ‘founder’ of our faith – the trailblazer of the path to God (Heb 12:2).
Alice is a typical fairytale champion, without flaws or failure. Earth’s champions are flawed with imperfections and eventually overcome by feebleness or a superior foe. This was true alsp for Samson and David. It is true by the champions we may see today in sport, politics, religion and other roles.
Jesus is neither a fairytale nor a flawed champion. He is the son of God who was like us in every way except sin (Heb 2:17-18; 4:15). As such he is the only, and the last, champion that any of us every need. Let’s enjoy the fantasy champions in movies and books, but let’s put our faith in heaven’s champion and keep it there.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A Supper Unworthy of the Lord
The Lord’s Supper should be an occasion of spiritual delight and a rich reminder of the generous grace of God. It’s an occasion when we can all face our sinfulness with a sense of the burden that is lifted from us by the Cross of Christ.
However, the Lord’s Supper can be a perilous occasion. Thus Paul speaks of people falling ill and even dying because they participate in the Lord’s Supper in an ‘unworthy’ manner (1 Cor 11:27,30).
What was the problem? People were coming to the Lord’s Supper without ‘recognising the body of the Lord’. Scholars divide on what exactly that means.
We know that some people came to church in Corinth and saw only the opportunity of free food and drink. Thus some would arrive early, gorge themselves and go on their way leaving only crumbs for others. The only body they were concerned for was their own. Paul encourages such people to eat at home and only then to come to the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:20-22, 33-34).
There seems to be two issues. One is that they don’t see the bread and wine as symbols of the body and blood of Jesus (Matt 26:26-28). Thus they do not ‘recognise’ the symbols of the person of Jesus. The other is that they don’t ‘see’ their fellow Christians who are also described as the body of Jesus (1 Cor 12:27). Quite possibly both meanings are intended. In short, they are unmindful of both the crucified and the living body of Jesus.
Maybe none of us today come to Communion for free wafers and wine. However, do we see Jesus and do we see our fellow-worshippers? It’s easy to sit in our corner of the church building, receive the wafers and wine with little attention to Jesus or to others and then to pass on our way.
The Scripture tells us what to do: A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup (1 Cor 11:28).
This is not self-examination to see if we are in a sinless state, for we all fail that test. Rather it is self-examination to face our sinful state and to ensure that we throw ourselves on the crucified body of Jesus for relief. Arising from this we are to recognise the people who sit around us at the Communion service. Like us they are sinful, frail and needy. They too need the grace of the Cross and the care of God’s people. They are not nobodies, but are the body of Christ,
It’s worth slowing down as we approach the Lord’s Table to ensure that we see Jesus and our fellow worshippers. Let’s not look at the ‘sign’ but at the one who is signified and at those who sit with us.
However, the Lord’s Supper can be a perilous occasion. Thus Paul speaks of people falling ill and even dying because they participate in the Lord’s Supper in an ‘unworthy’ manner (1 Cor 11:27,30).
What was the problem? People were coming to the Lord’s Supper without ‘recognising the body of the Lord’. Scholars divide on what exactly that means.
We know that some people came to church in Corinth and saw only the opportunity of free food and drink. Thus some would arrive early, gorge themselves and go on their way leaving only crumbs for others. The only body they were concerned for was their own. Paul encourages such people to eat at home and only then to come to the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:20-22, 33-34).
There seems to be two issues. One is that they don’t see the bread and wine as symbols of the body and blood of Jesus (Matt 26:26-28). Thus they do not ‘recognise’ the symbols of the person of Jesus. The other is that they don’t ‘see’ their fellow Christians who are also described as the body of Jesus (1 Cor 12:27). Quite possibly both meanings are intended. In short, they are unmindful of both the crucified and the living body of Jesus.
Maybe none of us today come to Communion for free wafers and wine. However, do we see Jesus and do we see our fellow-worshippers? It’s easy to sit in our corner of the church building, receive the wafers and wine with little attention to Jesus or to others and then to pass on our way.
The Scripture tells us what to do: A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup (1 Cor 11:28).
This is not self-examination to see if we are in a sinless state, for we all fail that test. Rather it is self-examination to face our sinful state and to ensure that we throw ourselves on the crucified body of Jesus for relief. Arising from this we are to recognise the people who sit around us at the Communion service. Like us they are sinful, frail and needy. They too need the grace of the Cross and the care of God’s people. They are not nobodies, but are the body of Christ,
It’s worth slowing down as we approach the Lord’s Table to ensure that we see Jesus and our fellow worshippers. Let’s not look at the ‘sign’ but at the one who is signified and at those who sit with us.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
What matters in a Church?
There's lots of literature around on church growth and how to achieve it.
But do we pause to ask what lies close to the heart of God for his church?
Look at the prayers in some of Paul's letters and look at the remarks to the churches in Rev 1-3.
What is mentioned?
What is not mentioned?
But do we pause to ask what lies close to the heart of God for his church?
Look at the prayers in some of Paul's letters and look at the remarks to the churches in Rev 1-3.
What is mentioned?
What is not mentioned?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The heart of preaching
In this day it is tempting to say that preachers don't need to do their own hard heart work on th text of Scripture. Through a thousand and one sources, preachers can access easily accessed and highly digestible summaries, analysis and commentaries on the text along with neat homiletical packages.
But, can there ever be a substitute for a preacher who ...
Sweats the hard stuff with the text until he uncovers the message from the heart of God that disturbs and comforts his own heart?
Labours prayerfully for the 'line' and application that speaks the word of the Lord to this people?
Pours his heart into careful and prayerful preparation and practice with the script?
Preaches from the heart of God whom he loves, to the heart of these people whom he also loves?
Pastors as he preaches and preaches as he pastors - the heart of God through the heart of a man and to the hearts of God's people?
But, can there ever be a substitute for a preacher who ...
Sweats the hard stuff with the text until he uncovers the message from the heart of God that disturbs and comforts his own heart?
Labours prayerfully for the 'line' and application that speaks the word of the Lord to this people?
Pours his heart into careful and prayerful preparation and practice with the script?
Preaches from the heart of God whom he loves, to the heart of these people whom he also loves?
Pastors as he preaches and preaches as he pastors - the heart of God through the heart of a man and to the hearts of God's people?
Divine Yinyong (鸳鸯)
Love and truth seem to be like tea and coffee – you have one or the other, but not both. Let’s think about the possible combinations.
Truth – love = insensitive Perhaps you know someone who is free with their opinions but delivers them in an ugly way. They may well speak truth (and at lengthy detail) but they do it in a graceless way with respect to timing, audience, manner and purpose. Perhaps they are trying to ‘score’ a point against you, lack EQ or are unknowingly trying to bolster their insecurity with a ‘win’. This is ugly and never more so when it is religious truth. God’s cause is invariably harmed, not helped, when someone pushes their truth about God on us without love.
Love – truth = indulgent Others may go to the opposite possibility. This is the person who avoids certain topics, withholds their real views or presents a false view in an effort to make and keep peace. Perhaps this person craves acceptance or avoids conflict so much that it’s a case of peace at any price. Or perhaps they are repelled, or have been bullied, by graceless truth. Or maybe they have a mistaken idea of what tolerance means.
Whatever the roots, love without truth is bound to end in tears. A peace created without truth is apt to be short lived for truth invariably comes out. Again, if we start avoiding certain topics to preserve peace we may end up with nothing to talk about apart from the weather. Something else: is it really loving to suppress the truth that makes people free and whole?
Where do we go with this? Let’s go back to tea and coffee. Have you tried yinyong? It is a Hong Kong mix of tea and coffee that makes a delightful combination. Likewise, godly love and truth make a delightful combination.
Love + truth = inspired Consider these words: instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is Christ (Eph 4:15).
These words were written about relations between church members, but they apply more widely. Our personal integrity, our love for others and our love for God compel us to speak only truth, even if it is uncomfortable truth. However, those same forces should compel us to speak the truth in love as to audience, manner, intent and timing.
None shows us this better than Jesus. His dealings with people show a consistent combination of love and truth. Let us do the same and thus show ourselves to be children of he who came to bring ‘grace and truth’ from God (Jn 1:14).
Truth – love = insensitive Perhaps you know someone who is free with their opinions but delivers them in an ugly way. They may well speak truth (and at lengthy detail) but they do it in a graceless way with respect to timing, audience, manner and purpose. Perhaps they are trying to ‘score’ a point against you, lack EQ or are unknowingly trying to bolster their insecurity with a ‘win’. This is ugly and never more so when it is religious truth. God’s cause is invariably harmed, not helped, when someone pushes their truth about God on us without love.
Love – truth = indulgent Others may go to the opposite possibility. This is the person who avoids certain topics, withholds their real views or presents a false view in an effort to make and keep peace. Perhaps this person craves acceptance or avoids conflict so much that it’s a case of peace at any price. Or perhaps they are repelled, or have been bullied, by graceless truth. Or maybe they have a mistaken idea of what tolerance means.
Whatever the roots, love without truth is bound to end in tears. A peace created without truth is apt to be short lived for truth invariably comes out. Again, if we start avoiding certain topics to preserve peace we may end up with nothing to talk about apart from the weather. Something else: is it really loving to suppress the truth that makes people free and whole?
Where do we go with this? Let’s go back to tea and coffee. Have you tried yinyong? It is a Hong Kong mix of tea and coffee that makes a delightful combination. Likewise, godly love and truth make a delightful combination.
Love + truth = inspired Consider these words: instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is Christ (Eph 4:15).
These words were written about relations between church members, but they apply more widely. Our personal integrity, our love for others and our love for God compel us to speak only truth, even if it is uncomfortable truth. However, those same forces should compel us to speak the truth in love as to audience, manner, intent and timing.
None shows us this better than Jesus. His dealings with people show a consistent combination of love and truth. Let us do the same and thus show ourselves to be children of he who came to bring ‘grace and truth’ from God (Jn 1:14).
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