Date: June 17, 2024

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, power, and dominion forever and ever, and to the Holy Ghost, who still abides in us.  This week’s message emphasizes “The Importance of Energy in Pursuing the Way of Holiness.”

The two great commandments are to love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. This love, when practiced, transforms our lives into a vibrant, energetic service to others. The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a prime example.  Luke 10:25-30 tells us, “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.”

In Luke 10:25-30, a lawyer asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” The lawyer was trying to find a loophole to avoid loving certain people. However, Jesus replied with the parable of the Good Samaritan, which teaches us to love and show compassion to everyone, regardless of their background or social status. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

My dear brothers and sisters, to love your neighbor as yourself means living a life of active and energetic service to others. This includes evangelism, missions, and helping the poor and needy. It’s a call to self-sacrifice inspired by God’s love for us. Let us always remember the words, “…with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). This promise should instill hope and enable us to tackle any obstacle we encounter. 

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop