Reading: 1 Peter 1:16 It is written: “Be holy, for I am holy.” Reflection: Being holy means becoming and being what God already is – holy! I remember reading in a book long ago what it means to ‘be holy’? Exactly that – to be! Does God strive to be holy? No – He is holy! It is not much different with us. We are equally holy! The difference is that we are made holy by God’s decision and we do not have to strive to become holy – we already are! But you are […]
Reading: 1 Peter 1:14-15; Colossians 3:1-5 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God! Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth! For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God! When Christ who is your life […]
Reading: 1 Peter 1:13-16 The First Epistle of Peter was written to the church in Asia Minor, which was not large or dominant in society. It was a church that, in a way, was a “foreign body” in its environment and was already facing persecution that threatened to escalate. In such a context, the daily life of this church was filled with various trials. Peter wants Christians to understand that as they give their best while going through trials, they are also being purified and prepared for what is to come. And that is the […]
Reading: Genesis 11:1-8 Reflection: Language, as a marvelous cognitive and social phenomenon, is at the heart of the birth of the church. Language is given to us to communicate, store, and transmit knowledge. Language connects people in communities. Language is the key instrument through which the culture of every social group is built. While in Babylon, God confused languages, but on Pentecost, God gathered people of all languages and united them. In Babylon, languages were unintelligible. On Pentecost, languages were understandable. Do you now understand the idea of the Christian understanding of the events on […]
Reading: John 20:21-23 Jesus said to them again: “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” After saying this, he breathed on them and said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Reflection: After the resurrection, Jesus came to his fearful disciples with the words: “Peace be with you!” They rejoiced when they saw him, after he showed them his wounds from the crucifixion. Then he breathed on them and said: […]
Reading: Leviticus 23:15-22 Reflection: The Feast of Pentecost is a special and profound celebration. It is of invaluable importance that the Church understands the deep meaning of this holiday. Here are some aspects: • The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, which refers to the descent of the Spirit upon Jesus’ disciples, empowering them to be witnesses of His resurrection. • The establishment of Christ’s Church. • The gift of speaking in other tongues or glossolalia (γλωσσολαλία) as a significant phenomenon, not only in the early Church but also in the present-day Pentecostal/Charismatic movement that encompasses […]
Reading: I believe in the Holy catholic Church, the communion of saints. (Apostles’ Creed) Today, in our reflection, we will focus on the additional clause of the Apostles’ Creed which speaks about the Church. The Church is not only a “gathering” of believers, but it is also the “communion of saints.” However, living in a community is not an easy task. Misunderstanding the essence of the Christian community and our expectations of it represent the greatest challenge. As a person who believes that the Church is the gathering of people around one God, one faith, […]
Reading: “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints.” (Apostles’ Creed) Reflection: Every year, evangelical churches in Sarajevo organize a joint worship service in an attempt to draw closer to the important truth found in this statement of faith. I believe it is one of the most important and beautiful days in the life of the church in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina when they show that the Church is one and that the holiness of those who make it up is evident in their unity. Each of the five words […]
Reading: I believe in the Holy Spirit (Apostles Creed) Reflection: If someone was going to leave, perhaps to emigrate to the US, Canada or Germany, as so any from BiH have done, or as many foreigners have done recently, returning to their home countries because of concerns about the threat of Coronavirus to elderly parents or relatives, but they said they were going to leave you something to remember them by, that wouldn’t seem so strange would it? Maybe they’d leave a painting, a book, a bike (!) something that might speak of themselves but […]
Reading: “From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.” (Apostles’ Creed); Isaiah 96:11-13; Acts 10:34-43 Rejoice, heavens, and shout for joy, earth! Let the sea and all that fills it resound! Let the field and all that is in it exult! Let all the trees of the forest shout for joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the people with his truth. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one […]