Planted by the Grace of God. Worship: February 16, 2025

 Blessing abound in today’s readings! Jeremiah laments the one who “trusts in man,” but sees the one who “trusts in the Lord,” to be like a tree planted with abundant water that “does not cease to bear fruit”

(Jeremiah 17:5, 7, 8). Note that we are “Planted,”—a passive verb, grace! Luke records another time Jesus preached using beatitudes. He concluded that we, his hearers, should rejoice and leap for joy, for

our reward is great in heaven. Such grace! No wonder that Paul, in the Epistle, warns against those who doubt Christ’s resurrection. Our Lord is only “the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Today, our worship is full of rejoicing in the grace of God. It also gives us strength to produce fruit every day.