FRIDAY, December 2

Jude 1-16. For certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Modern scholars are uncertain to whom Saint Jude addressed this letter of warning and encouragement, or even who the “intruders” were, although it is likely they were Gnostics, known for indulging the flesh. In this brief letter of encouragement, Jude takes his readers on a whirlwind tour of temptations and their victims dating back to the beginning of creation. Nothing new in this, he seems to be saying.

People of faith have always been vulnerable and often led astray. In the second part of this brief letter (included in tomorrow’s reading) Jude encourages his Christian friends: “But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life” (v. 20-21). We have, Jude tells us, all the tools we need to eject the intruders, whoever or whatever they may be. It is reassuring to be reminded that we are simply the most recent generation to struggle with temptation and that God is with us in our efforts.

View the daily Lectionary Readings at http://satucket.com/lectionary/

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