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Worship First, Then Service

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Sermon for the 5th Sunday in Lent – 04/06/2025

Rev. Enzo Pellini
John 12:1-8
12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”
***

Today’s Gospel tells us about Mary of Bethany and her deep love for Jesus. She anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, a powerful act of worship. Her actions show us what it means to truly honour Christ.
Mary’s Gift to Jesus
Six days before Passover, Jesus was in Bethany, where a dinner was held in His honour. Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, was there, along with his sisters, Mary and Martha. During the meal, Mary took a jar of pure nard, a very expensive perfume, and poured it on Jesus’ feet. She wiped His feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the fragrance.
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, was upset. He said, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” But Judas didn’t say this because he cared for the poor—he was a thief.
Jesus answered, “Leave her alone. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.” Jesus was teaching that worshiping Him is the most important thing. Helping the poor is good, but loving and honouring God must come first. This is the first part of the Greatest Commandement (Mt 22:37-40)
The Cost of Worship
Therefore, the price of Mary Magdalene’s perfume (300 denarii) today would be approximately 45,000 Canadian dollars. This is an estimate based on the current average salary and may vary depending on the economic context and specific wages in a region. This was not a small sacrifice for Mary. It was a big act of love.
Some people might think she wasted it. But true worship is not about counting the cost—it is about giving everything to God. When we love Jesus, we give Him our best.
Why Did Mary Use Perfume?
In the Old Testament, kings and priests were anointed with oil. By anointing Jesus, Mary was showing that He was the Messiah, the chosen one of God. Her action also pointed to Jesus’ coming death. In those times, people anointed dead bodies with perfume before burial. Without knowing it, Mary was preparing Jesus for His sacrifice.
Also, wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair was a sign of deep humility. In Jewish culture, a woman’s hair was very special. By using her hair, Mary was showing that Jesus was more important than anything else in her life.
A Modern Connection: The Church and Its Buildings
This story makes me think about an issue today: the housing crisis in Canada. I’ve read that, some churches (not only in Canada) want to help by using their buildings for shelters. Transforming or even downsizing their properties. This is a good idea, don’t get me wrong, but we must also remember that church buildings are places of worship.
A church is not just a building—it is a place where people meet God. While we should help those in need, we should also ask: Is selling church buildings or downsizing them, or part of them the best solution? Or is the real problem something deeper—like government policies and economic issues?
The housing crisis needs real change, not just short-term fixes. Churches can support the poor and also speak out for fair housing laws. We must care for people, but we must also protect the places where we worship God. And we have to remember that church buildings were donated by generations of people with the intention of having places to worship God and for His word to be preached.
Worship First, Then Service
Mary’s perfume reminds us of this balance. Judas said it should have been sold for the poor, but Jesus knew that worship comes first. Loving God helps us love others better. If we stop worshiping, we lose the heart of our mission.
The Church is not just a charity. It is the body of Christ. If we lose our places of worship, we might also lose the faith that drives us to help others. Our mission must come from a heart that worships God first.
The Fragrance of True Worship
One of the most powerful images in this passage is the fragrance of Mary’s perfume filling the house. In the Bible, fragrances are often linked to worship and sacrifice. In Exodus, incense was burned in the tabernacle as a symbol of prayers rising to God. In Paul’s letters, he speaks of the sacrifice of Christ as a “fragrant offering” (Ephesians 5:2).
This reminds us that true worship leaves a lasting impact. Just as Mary’s perfume filled the house, our worship should fill the world with the love of Christ. People should sense the presence of God through our devotion and our actions.
Jesus and the Poor
Some people misunderstand Jesus’ words: “The poor you will always have with you.” This is not a dismissal of the poor. Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 15:11, which commands generosity toward those in need. He was reminding His followers that they should always care for the poor. However, He was also teaching that there are moments when worship must take priority.
Judas used the poor as an excuse. But Jesus knew his heart. He knew that Judas was not truly concerned about justice. Today, we see similar attitudes in politics. Some leaders speak about helping the poor but do not take real action. This is why the Church must remain a voice for true justice, grounded in worship.
A Call to Action
Jesus’ words—“You will always have the poor among you”—are not an excuse to ignore poverty. They remind us that helping the poor is a long-term commitment. The real issue is not just buildings, but fair wages, affordable housing, and government responsibility.
Churches should not feel pressured to sell their places of worship to fix a broken system. Instead, we should work for lasting change while keeping our focus on worship.
We are called to be both like Mary and like Jesus. Like Mary, we must be willing to give our best to Christ. Like Jesus, we must be concerned for the poor—not just with words, but with real action.
Giving Our Best to Jesus
Jesus teaches us to care for the poor, but He also shows us that worship is the foundation of everything we do. Mary gave her best to Jesus. We are called to do the same.
This Lent, let us ask ourselves: Are we putting Jesus first? Are we helping others in ways that bring real change? And are we keeping our worship strong so that everything we do is rooted in God’s love?
Let us be like Mary, offering our best to God, knowing that true worship changes the world around us. May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The Time of Grace: Preparing for Eternity

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Third Sunday of Lent – 23.03.2025
Pastor Enzo Pellini
Luke 13:1-9 (NIV)

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?
3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

The Parable of the Fig Tree
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.
7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
8 ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.
9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

When I arrived in Canada, I had my interview with the church, in which, in a way, they wanted to do a kind of revalidation of my title, (credential assessment and licensing process) similar to what companies and other professions do. It’s a good custom in Canada to assess the level of knowledge. Although academically I didn’t need it, I saw it more as an adaptation to a new country, a different reality. So, I had to go through six weeks of practice, reading, and interviews.

One of the people on the examination committee, a layperson, asked me the following: “I sometimes feel like I don’t want to go to church. How would you respond to someone with that concern?” I thought for a moment about what answer this woman expected and which of the various responses I could offer would be most appropriate. At that moment, I thought, “What does the Bible say about this?” It was the simplest answer, but not necessarily the most politically correct for my situation, which could hurt my progress in this process. However, I didn’t mind, and I told her that the third commandment says, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” From there, each person can draw their own conclusions. No one is forced to go to church, but we can see that being part of the church brings blessings to our lives, and that’s why we go. It’s a choice about the quality of life we want to have. And that motivates us to go. We say we have a relationship with God and want to worship and thank Him weekly with other believers, as we declare in our Creed every Sunday: “I believe in the communion of saints.” I’m not sure if she liked my answer, but that’s how I responded.

Today, during this time of Lent, we face again the question: What is our position before God? Where do we place our relationship with Jesus and His church in our daily lives? What is the state of our spiritual life? Do we need conversion, meaning, to begin living a new life in God? Or do we simply need to revitalise our relationship with Jesus? That is something each of us can know better and answer.

A good question this morning to determine if we are on God’s path, with God, and for God is: How do we begin our day-to-day? Do we start by putting God first, beginning the day with prayer? Though this might seem insignificant and trivial amidst all of our day, it sets the tone for us to understand at what level of relationship and commitment we are with God.

I. The Fragility of Life: Let’s Not Waste It
The Gospel reading shows us that Jesus was also concerned about our relationship with God. The people, terrified by events, lacked the peace necessary to build a good relationship with God through Him. They were filled with worries about the bad news in life, even without having a TV, and lamented, wondering why bad things happen. Today, many people don’t have a single day of peace because of all the news coming from the media. They wonder where God is in the face of all the tragedies and even question His existence, losing faith and drifting away from Him and the church.

These kinds of questions are not new. Jesus tells us about two tragedies: a massacre of Galileans and an accident with a tower that killed 18 people. People thought that those who died must have been worse sinners than the others, but Jesus responds with a powerful message: “Unless you repent, you too will all perish the same way” (Luke 13:3,5).

This message reminds us of the fragility of life. We don’t know how much time we have here on earth. Life is brief, and as Christians, we should not wait until tomorrow to draw near to God. Jesus calls us to live in repentance and transformation today, not tomorrow.

In times of so much information, like we live in now, we can become trapped in the suffering of others without realising that all we experience, whether good or bad news, is a call to reflection. Tragedies are not just events to understand but opportunities to turn back to God, to review our lives, and to value what truly matters. Lent invites us to do this examination, to review what we are doing with the time God has given us.

II. God Gives Us Time to Change
Through the parable of the barren fig tree, Jesus shows us how God, in His patience, gives us time to change and bear fruit. The owner of the vineyard wanted to cut down the fig tree that bore no fruit, but the gardener asked for one more year to tend to it and give it a chance to change. This gardener is Christ Himself, interceding for us, giving us time to change, to grow, and to draw nearer to Him.

Lent is a special time in which God gives us the opportunity to be transformed. He gives us time to examine our lives, to dig deep into our being, and remove what prevents us from bearing fruit. But, as in the parable, there is no guarantee that we will always have time. God is patient, but His patience has a limit, and that limit is marked by the time we have in this life.

III. Today, as Yesterday, Jesus Calls Us to Repentance: A Change of Life
Repentance means a change in direction. Jesus invites us to bear fruits of repentance, meaning to live in a way that reflects a true inner change. True repentance produces fruits of love, justice, and faith.

  1. Fruits of love: Loving God above all things and our neighbour as ourselves. Living a life of patience, generosity, and compassion.
  2. Fruits of justice: Living with integrity, seeking what is right, and defending the most vulnerable.
  3. Fruits of faith: Trusting in God, growing in our relationship with Him, and sharing our faith with others.

Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” Our lives only make sense when we are connected to Christ. In this time of Lent, it’s the moment to check if we are bearing the fruits God expects of us.

IV. The Time of Grace: Preparing for Eternity
We don’t know how much time we have left on earth, but we do know that eternity is our destination. The great feast that God has prepared for us, heaven, is the reason we must make the most of this time to prepare.

It’s easy to fall into the temptation of thinking we have all the time in the world, but the reality is that life is uncertain. If today were our last day, what would we change in our lives? Jesus invites us not to wait any longer, to live with Him now, and to prepare for the eternal event He has prepared for us.


Life is brief and fragile, and God gives us time to repent and change. Lent is a unique opportunity to reflect, renew our relationship with Him, and live transformed. Jesus calls us to repent and bear fruits of love, justice, and faith. Let’s not let this time of grace pass by; let’s make the most of the opportunity to prepare for the eternity He has prepared for us.

Amen

The Lament of Jesus: A Call to Conversion

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Sermon
March 16, 2025
Rev. Enzo Pellini
Luke 13:31-35 (NIV)

31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him,
—Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.
32 He replied,
—Go tell that fox, “I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.”
33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
34 »Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

On this second Sunday of Lent, the readings invite us to reflect on the path to salvation and the call to conversion. Today, the Gospel according to Luke 13:31-35 presents a deeply emotional moment in the life of Jesus—a lament for the city of Jerusalem, which resonates in each of us as an urgent call to reflect on our own relationship with God and our willingness to accept His protection and love.

Much has been said about this reading. Some believe that the people of Israel brought a curse upon their history by rejecting Jesus, and that the conflicts and difficulties they face today are a consequence of that rejection. We don’t know for sure, but what is clear is that all the early Christians were Jews. God does not look at a specific race or people; rather, He is faithful to those who accept and follow Him. Furthermore, conflicts, wars, and hatred have existed everywhere in the world throughout history.

Today, we are reminded of the importance of taking refuge under the wings of that hen who personifies Jesus, and we, the believers in Him, are her chicks. We are the ones who seek shelter in His Church, putting the community of believers first in our lives and recognizing the Word of God as authority over our decisions.

Do you believe there is a difference between those who do not believe in Jesus and reject His Church and those who do? Of course, there is. It’s like comparing the life of a chick under its mother hen’s wings with the life of those who choose to live without her protection. We should not be surprised by the consequences of a life without worshiping God and without His protection. Often, when we go through problems, people complain and shout: “Where is God?” They wonder why there are tragedies in the world, but today this text invites us to reflect: Were we like the chicks under the protection of the hen’s wings? Did the chicks recognize their mother hen?

Following this comparison, do we recognize Christ as our Lord? Do we shelter in the Church of Christ for our protection and well-being, or do we mock the Word of God, reject it, and reject Christ Himself?

When people firmly decide to accept Christ and begin to live a life of faith and trust in God, sheltered by His protective arms, that is what we call conversion. It’s hard to think of people who don’t make this decision and believe that they have truly experienced a conversion. In this Lent, we are specifically called to conversion, to those chicks who need to return under the care of the mother hen’s wings.

The Lament of Jesus: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem!” (Luke 13:31-35)
In today’s Gospel, some Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod wants to kill him. Jesus responds with a message of determination and lament: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you!” This is not a mere complaint; it is a cry of pain for the hard-heartedness of the city that represents the chosen people. Jesus laments the constant resistance of Jerusalem, which, despite receiving so many messengers from God, has not listened to them.
The image Jesus uses, comparing Jerusalem to a mother hen who tries to gather her chicks under her wings, is incredibly tender, but also heart-wrenching. Jesus, in His love and compassion, desires to gather His people, offer them refuge and security under His protection, just as a hen cares for her chicks. However, Jesus’ lament reveals that, despite His desire, “you were not willing”; the people of Jerusalem reject the salvation He offers.
This rejection is not just a matter of the past. Through this image, Jesus is also speaking to us today. He invites us to ask ourselves: Are we willing to open our hearts and allow Him to shelter us under His wings? Or, like Jerusalem, do we prefer to follow our own paths, rejecting the invitation to salvation?
The covenant of God that Abraham experienced also extends to us. Even though, like Jerusalem, we often resist accepting God’s protection, He continues to offer His shield, His refuge, His salvation. He calls us, just like He did to Abraham, to trust His promise, not to fear, knowing that He is with us in times of difficulty.

Trust in God’s Protection: “The Lord is my light and my salvation” (Psalm 27)
Psalm 27 reinforces this idea of trusting in God’s protection. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” The psalmist expresses a deep trust in God’s goodness, even when facing dangers and adversities. This trust is what Jesus offers to Jerusalem and to all of us. In the midst of chaos, darkness, and adversity, God is our light and our salvation, and He wants to provide us refuge under His wings, just as a hen cares for her chicks.

A Call to Perseverance: “Imitate me” (Philippians 3:17-4:1)
In Philippians 3:17-4:1, St. Paul urges us to follow the example of those who live according to the call of Christ. He encourages us to stand firm in our faith and persevere on the path to salvation, always looking toward heaven, our true homeland. During this Lenten season, we are invited to renew our trust in God and persevere in faith, knowing that, like Jerusalem, we often face challenges and temptations. However, the example of Jesus and the apostles encourages us to stand firm and press on, knowing that the final victory is in Christ.

A Call to Conversion and Acceptance of Salvation
The readings today, especially the Gospel, call us to conversion. Jesus deeply laments the rejection of Jerusalem, but at the same time, He offers us a new opportunity to draw closer to Him. The time of Lent is a time of grace, a time to reflect on our willingness to accept the salvation He offers. Just as Abraham trusted God’s promises and the psalmist trusted in His protection, we are also called to trust God completely and walk toward Him with open hearts.
Jesus does not force His salvation upon us; He invites us with love, calling us to shelter under His wings of protection. But, just like Jerusalem, we must decide whether we will respond to that invitation. He deeply laments when we don’t allow Him to act in our lives, when we follow our own way and reject His love.

Conclusion: A Time to Decide
Today, as in Jesus’ time, we find ourselves at a crucial decision. The invitation to salvation is still offered to all. Just as He lamented over Jerusalem, Jesus continues to wait for us to accept Him, to let Him gather us under His wings, and to walk toward Him with faith and hope.

May this Lent be a time of personal conversion, a time to reflect on our willingness to follow Jesus and accept His protection. No matter what we’ve lived through or how many times we’ve rejected God, He continues to offer us His love and salvation. Let us receive His invitation with an open heart, knowing that, as the psalm says, “The Lord is our light and our salvation.” Amen.

Living Not in Guilt, but in Grace and Constant Renewal

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Sermon – March 9, 2025
Rev. Enzo Pellini
Base Text: Luke 4:1-13
4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;’

11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

***

Introduction
I have a question for today. You don’t need to answer aloud: Have you ever sinned? Have you ever been tempted to do something wrong? Have you ever fallen into temptation? I’m sure you have. I’ve done it too. If I had never sinned, I’d probably already be sitting next to Jesus, because I’d be perfect.

I think we all know how to tell right from wrong. However, today’s message is not just about that, even though we’ll talk about Jesus’ temptations. There is a fundamental difference between the temptations Jesus faced and how he was victorious, and the temptations we face and our ability to resist them.

Today’s reading is not meant to condemn us or make us deny the possibility of falling into temptation. Instead, it teaches us that, although temptation is a reality in our lives, we are not alone in the struggle. It invites us to look to Jesus, who, full of the Holy Spirit, overcame temptation and shows us the way to live in grace and constant renewal.

Today, we encounter a powerful story in the Gospel of Luke. We see Jesus in the wilderness, facing the same temptations we face. But unlike us, he didn’t give in. He shows us the way, but also reminds us that it’s not about living with guilt for our failures, but about living in grace and constant renewal.

We’ve all felt temptation in our lives. Following the theme of this reading, it could be the temptation to seek security in material things instead of trusting in God. Or the temptation to compromise our values for quick success. Or the temptation to doubt God’s love and ask for proof to believe in Him.

Jesus faced all of this, but he overcame it. Not because he was lucky, but because he was full of the Holy Spirit and trusted in God’s Word. Today, we’ll dive into his example and see how it helps us in our daily lives.

II. The Three Temptations and Their Meaning Today (Luke 4:3-12)
First, Satan tells Jesus to turn a stone into bread. It seems harmless, right? Jesus is hungry after forty days of fasting. But here, the temptation is not just hunger, but self-sufficiency. Will we depend on God, or try to solve everything on our own?

Think about this: How many times do we feel like everything depends on us? We work hard, save, plan for the future, but forget that our true security is in God. A person might have a full fridge and a stable bank account, but if they don’t have the peace of God, they still live in fear.

Jesus responds with Scripture: “Man shall not live on bread alone.” He reminds us that our lives do not depend only on material things, but on God’s Word and will. [Self-sufficiency, in this context, means rejecting dependence on God, faith, and the church, relying solely on human reason, science, and personal achievements. It implies believing that we can solve all problems on our own without recognizing that there is something greater than us, such as divine wisdom and providence. This mindset focuses on the idea that we don’t need God to live, and instead of seeing life as an opportunity to trust in Him, it is viewed as something that can be controlled with our own strength and logic.]

Next, comes the second temptation. Satan offers him all the kingdoms of the world if only he will worship him. This is the temptation of power, the easy shortcut. In today’s world, this could be reflected in decisions we make to advance quickly: lying in business, betraying someone for personal gain, or compromising our values for approval from others.

Imagine someone who wants to progress in their career but finds that if they lie on their resume or betray a colleague, they could get a promotion faster. In those moments, the temptation is strong. But Jesus shows us that power without God is not worth it. “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only,” he reminds us. Our commitment to God cannot be bargained for any promise of earthly success. [The second temptation of Satan in the desert is precisely about the corruption of our Christian values and our Christian integrity.]

Finally, the third temptation: Satan tells Jesus to throw himself down from the temple because the angels will save him. Here we see the temptation to manipulate God, to demand proof of His love. How many times have we thought, “If God really loves me, He should give me this or that”? But true faith does not demand proof from God.

Jesus responds firmly: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” He teaches us that faith doesn’t need spectacular signs, but a deep trust in God. [The third temptation of Satan can be seen as the temptation to blame God for our difficulties, expecting Him to act spectacularly to prevent our suffering, and thus abandoning the faith with that excuse.]

III. Not Living in Guilt, but in Grace and Renewal
Now, we know that Jesus overcame temptation, but what about us? We don’t always succeed. Sometimes we fail, sometimes we fall. And here comes the most important message: We are not called to live in guilt, but in grace and renewal!

Satan wants us to stay in guilt when we fall. He wants us to think, “I’m worthless,” “God doesn’t love me anymore.” But God tells us something different. 1 John 1:9 reminds us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us.” The key is not to be perfect, but to always return to God.

IV. How to Live in Grace and Constant Renewal
A simple example: When a child is learning to walk, they fall many times. But a good parent doesn’t scold them for falling; they lift them up and encourage them to keep trying. This is how our Heavenly Father is. He never tires of lifting us up.

Conclusion
There is a phrase from Luther that says, “Pecca fortiter, sed fortius fide,” which means “Sin boldly, but believe even more boldly.” This means that even though we all make mistakes and fall, the important thing is to remember that God is always ready to forgive us. It’s not an invitation to do wrong on purpose, but a reminder that if we trust in faith and God’s love, we can have peace and hope. If we understand that we can always ask for forgiveness and that God does not reject us, we don’t have to live in fear or guilt because of our mistakes. Instead of feeling bad and distancing ourselves from Him, we can feel motivated to live better and do the right thing, knowing that God’s grace gives us the strength to improve every day. When we live with this confidence, it’s easier to make wise decisions and live in a way that reflects God’s love and goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.