Come Out into the Light!

ALOHA kākou! This Lent, we’ve been learning to live more honestly and authentically before God. First, in the wilderness, we learned to trust God’s promises and tell the truth. Then, with Nicodemus at night, we learned to trust God enough to be born from above. At the Samaritan well, we learned to name our true spiritual thirst. Last week, with the man born without sight, we were invited to see truthfully, allowing Christ to open our eyes to what we might rather avoid. Now, as Lent draws closer to Holy Week, the Gospel story leads us into one of the most powerful and mysterious stories in Scripture: the raising of Lazarus. Here we discover that truth, once revealed, does not leave us where we were. It calls us out into the light.

THIS SUNDAY the Gospel lesson from John 11 tells the story of Jesus standing before the tomb of his friend Lazarus and calling him back to life. In the sermon, “Coming Out into the Light,” we’ll reflect on what it means for Christ to call us out of the places of darkness, grief, fear, and silence that can hold us captive. As we move toward Holy Week, this story reminds us that God’s power is not only about life after death, but about new life breaking into the present moment. Please join us Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on Facebook Live, as we listen again for the voice that calls each of us to step forward into the light of God’s grace.

LAST SUNDAY we heard the remarkable story about Jesus healing a man who had been unable to see since he was born (John 9:1-41). In the sermon, we explored how Christ challenges our assumptions and invites us into a clearer, more compassionate way of seeing. What have you been seeing more clearly and brightly this past week?

Beloved brothers and sisters, I hold you in my prayers. I ask your faithful prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for those who lead and serve, for every member of our ‘ohana, and for your vicar. May the blessing of Almighty God be upon you and remain with you always. 

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+