But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21 NABRE
Jude is known as a brother of Jesus. He is writing to a Christian community in Palestine. There have been intruders into the community who are teaching contrary to the faith and Jude is writing this letter to condemn these intruders and to bolster the community members. It is a very short letter using many examples from the Hebrew Scriptures to support the message. The quoted verse is from the close of the letter. After being critical the closing is a positive call to the community to be strong, calling them to holiness and to help one another. Jude refers to the community members as beloved, then has three short challenges; first, they should build themselves up in faith, faith a common charism to build up the entire community. Second, to pray in the Spirit, the Spirit is the strength of the community and praying to the Spirit brings hope. Third, keeping themselves in God’s love as they wait for the mercy of Jesus to bring them to eternal life. As they/we are waiting for Jesus to return in glory keep themselves/ourselves in love with God.
The exhortation of Jude is for us today. Today we are challenged as followers of Jesus, there are many voices who speak contrary to the message of Jesus and there are many who are indifferent to the message of Jesus. To be faithful, hopeful, mercy dependent followers of Jesus in a community that comes together requires building each other up. It is important to be strong in your church community and to help one another. Live by faith and hope and count on mercy.
Do you stand strong with your brothers and sisters in a church? Can you help lead the community in faith and hope?
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