Unmerited Grace

 On December 7, 1941, Ens. Maurice was performing his duties when fighter planes flew overhead dropping bombs attacking and sinking ships.

He stayed at his post until his battleship was hit and he abandoned ship barely making it to safety.

In the Spring of 1995, a small group of Japanese people raising funds for a school asked to stay with members of our church.

Maurice was one of the members who housed them.

You know, what happened here is pretty amazing.

Maurice, who once barely survived an attack from Japanese planes during the war, later opened his home to a group of Japanese visitors.

By choosing kindness over old hurts, he showed how forgiveness can start with simple actions.

It’s proof that even small gestures—like welcoming someone—can help heal old wounds and bring people together.

This is what Christ’s reign really looks like in humility and sacrifice.

As Christians we are expected to extend God’s grace around us, even when it seems difficult.

Sometimes, when extending grace seems impossible and too costly, is when Christ on the cross becomes a challenge to reach beyond our comfort zone and offer mercy.

By embracing Christ’s radical call to love, we can transform spaces marked by pain and division into places of hope and restoration.

This assurance of grace is freely given empowers us to mend what has been broken and allows us to be active participants in the healing work of Christ.