Palm/Passion Sunday – April 13, 2025
“And being found in human form, [Christ] humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
- Philippians 2:8-11 -
The famous inventor and painter Samuel Morse is probably most well-known for his invention of the telegraph and the ability to communicate with Morse Code, hence the name.  This invention was huge for the advancement in communication.  The telegraph allowed instant communication over great distances for the first time in human history.  Samuel Morse was once asked if he ever encountered situations where he didn't know what to do.  Morse responded, "More than once, and whenever I could not see my way clearly, I knelt down and prayed to God for light and understanding."
Morse received many honors from his invention of the telegraph but felt undeserving: "I have made a valuable application of electricity not because I was superior to other men but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone and He was pleased to reveal it to me."
So much of the world that surrounds us today encourages selfishness and entitlement.  Everything is about me and what I deserve.  A sense of humility seems to be lacking among so many human beings in 2025.  Some will say, “Well, that’s just a sign of our times.”  Can we stop feeling so entitled and being so selfish?  And, if so, how?  How can we begin to stop focusing so much on “me, myself, and I” and begin to consider others as more important?  
Our reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians tells us to have a mind and attitude like that of Jesus.  Jesus is divine.  He is fully God.  He dwelled in the highest of places, and yet, He came down to earth to dwell among us in human form.  He voluntarily set aside his esteemed position only to be rejected by others, to be mocked, despised, tortured, and put to death.  Jesus Christ chose to come into this world to be a servant.  And as he was put to death on the cross, he never once said, “I don’t deserve this!  I’m God!  I’m above this!”  He gave himself up for us, though we do not deserve it.  God gives us the ability to live, and he can take it from us in an instant.  If Jesus was willing to go to the cross for us, certainly we can be willing to humble ourselves before him and others and to consider the needs of those around us. 
Palm/Passion Sunday – April 13, 2025
“And being found in human form, [Christ] humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
- Philippians 2:8-11 -
The famous inventor and painter Samuel Morse is probably most well-known for his invention of the telegraph and the ability to communicate with Morse Code, hence the name.  This invention was huge for the advancement in communication.  The telegraph allowed instant communication over great distances for the first time in human history.  Samuel Morse was once asked if he ever encountered situations where he didn't know what to do.  Morse responded, "More than once, and whenever I could not see my way clearly, I knelt down and prayed to God for light and understanding."
Morse received many honors from his invention of the telegraph but felt undeserving: "I have made a valuable application of electricity not because I was superior to other men but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone and He was pleased to reveal it to me."
So much of the world that surrounds us today encourages selfishness and entitlement.  Everything is about me and what I deserve.  A sense of humility seems to be lacking among so many human beings in 2025.  Some will say, “Well, that’s just a sign of our times.”  Can we stop feeling so entitled and being so selfish?  And, if so, how?  How can we begin to stop focusing so much on “me, myself, and I” and begin to consider others as more important?  
Our reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians tells us to have a mind and attitude like that of Jesus.  Jesus is divine.  He is fully God.  He dwelled in the highest of places, and yet, He came down to earth to dwell among us in human form.  He voluntarily set aside his esteemed position only to be rejected by others, to be mocked, despised, tortured, and put to death.  Jesus Christ chose to come into this world to be a servant.  And as he was put to death on the cross, he never once said, “I don’t deserve this!  I’m God!  I’m above this!”  He gave himself up for us, though we do not deserve it.  God gives us the ability to live, and he can take it from us in an instant.  If Jesus was willing to go to the cross for us, certainly we can be willing to humble ourselves before him and others and to consider the needs of those around us.