Lead Us Not into Temptation (Sixth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer – Matt. 6:13) This familiar wording of the sixth petition can be misleading. It seems to imply that God may actually lead us into temptation and therefore we have to plead that God Read More …
“Forgive Us Our Trespasses” Matt. 6:12a –A Second Look– “It is easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.” I heard this slogan for the first time early in my career from a young office mate who attended an expensive, boys-only Read More …
“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (Matt. 6:12) “Do I forgive someone who has sinned (trespassed) against me but who has not asked for my forgiveness?” Some of us have probably struggled with this question, especially if Read More …
“OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN” (The Lord’s Prayer is one of the great treasures of the Church that the Lord Jesus has given us. Translated into various languages, it transcends denominational boundaries and reminds Christians that though we are many, we are one in Read More …
By Pr. Emmanuel N. ILAGAN It was the third day after the crucifixion of Jesus and two of His disciples were walking the seven miles from Jerusalem to the obscure village of Emmaus. They were sad and depressed as they discussed what had happened in Read More …
By Pr. Emmanuel N. ILAGAN (Inspired by a sermon of the same title attributed to African-American Baptist preacher S.M. Lockridge; also cited by pastor and author Tony Campolo.) It’s Friday… Jesus has been betrayed by one of his closest friends. The Jewish Council has Read More …
By Pr. Emmanuel N. ILAGAN — A couple of weeks ago a group of us shared a farewell meal with a common friend. She had lived, worked and made friends in the Dallas, Texas area for many years. She loved her job and had hoped Read More …
By Rev. Emmanuel N. ILAGAN – As a child the Bible stories I learned in Sunday school seemed to me as a random mix of Jesus’ miracles, some Israelite history and their brave heroes, comforting poems, urgent warnings and so on. Later I realized Read More …
Luther’s Gethsemane By Rev. Emmanuel N. Ilagan – Apart from Luther’s nailing of the 95 theses in Wittenberg (1517) the other crucial event of the reformation of the western Christian church was the Diet of Worms (pronounced “Deet of Vorms) in 1521. The Diet of Read More …
The PAX DOMINI By Rev. Emmanuel N. ILAGAN My personal circumstances have limited the meaning I ascribe to the greeting “Peace be with you” — until a few days ago. I have always thought of the greeting that we say to each other during Sunday Read More …