The Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity

This homily explains how American culture became aware of the phrase “born again” through Billy Graham, Jimmy Carter, and Chuck Colson. Many Christians in that era focused on a single moment of decision for Christ, but St. Paul presents a larger view of salvation. Paul thanks God for the Philippians and says that God began a good work in them and will complete it. The preacher shows three stages of God’s work. First, God starts salvation when He brings us to baptism and faith, whether in childhood or adulthood. Second, God keeps working in us through worship, prayer, Scripture, and the Eucharist as He shapes us into the image of His Son. Third, God completes our salvation on the day of Jesus Christ when He returns and glorifies His people. The message encourages believers to trust that God remains active in them from beginning to end.