What gives you the right?

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Amos 2:6-10, 13-16 Psalm 50:16-23 Matthew 8:18-22

Psalms 50:16  But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips?

What gives you the right?  That is the question before us.  What gives us the right to recite God's statutes?  What gives us the right to partake in his sacraments?  Isn't God merciful?  Doesn't everybody have that right?

Apparently not.  God expects that we should respond to his grace with thanksgiving and repentance.  Too many today want to redefine the Christian faith to suit their own indulgent live styles. Yes, God is merciful, but if the Bible is true, then we should be careful about what we presume.  We may not have the right that we think we do.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to follow your commands and to humbly accept all that you have for me.  Help me to repent from my sins and to celebrate with thanksgiving your grace and mercy.  Help me to never presume the right to what is not mine, but rather to humbly seek your mercy and grace.

Amen

it pleased the Jews

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel:

Acts 12:1-11 Psalm 34:2-9 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 Matthew 16:13-19

Acts 12:3  and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.

It is funny how people who supposedly are in power and who are supposed to be our leaders often look to the people to tell them what to do.  Rather than make their own minds up they appeal to the opinion polls.  This isn't because they are great leaders.  IT is because they are afraid of the people.  They fear that their jobs, their careers, their comfortable lives will be in jeopardy if they disappoint the people.  The have no sense of right and wrong, only popular and unpopular. 

We need to be people who are willing to do what is right no matter how many are with us.  If we all go to hell it will be no one's fault but our own, each and every one of us, for not standing for what is right.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always seek what is right.  Help me to not fall into the easy and comfortable will of the people who will turn on me at the drop of a hat, rather help me to stay with you, the one who is faithful.

Amen

sons of the kingdom

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19 Psalm 74:1-7, 20-21 Matthew 8:5-17

Matthew 8:12  while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth."

Sounds pretty bad for the sons of the kingdom. This is something for us to consider.  We shouldn't feel too comfortable just because we call ourselves Christians.  God can call anybody and he does.  We need to act in faith.  Jesus said that in all Israel he had not seen such faith as in the centurion.  

We must learn to have faith like that.  Not having to see signs, but to trust him because he is God.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always trust you because of who you are and not to demand signs and wonders to justify my faith.

Amen

a proof to the people

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

2 Kings 25:1-12 Psalm 137:1-6 Matthew 8:1-4

Matthew 8:4  And Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to any one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to the people."

As we see here it wasn't the ritual act that saved the man from his leprosy.  It was the will of Jesus Christ in response to the man's prayer.  But, Jesus told him to go offer the sacrifice anyway for the benefit of the people.  We too often think of the Christian faith as a thing about us as individuals.  Yes salvation is partly individual, but it is also communal.  We are part of a body.  Christ died for all of us, not just me.  We have an obligation then, given to us by Christ, to act out our faith not only in doing good deeds, but ritually as well. It is what Christ commands and it is for the benefit of the body as well as for us as individuals. 

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to not forget that I am part of a body of many believers and I need to concern myself with them as well as myself.  Help me to be willing to do what needs to be done according to your command.

Amen

they have defiled thy holy temple

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

2 Kings 24:8-17 Psalm 79:1-5, 8-9 Matthew 7:21-29

Psalms 79:1  O God, the heathen have come into thy inheritance; they have defiled thy holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.

This weeks reading seem to be about the invasion of the church by the heathens.  Yes, that is what is going on this very day.  The church has become a political device now.  Everybody wants to be a "Christian" when it is politically expedient for them, but they do not want to do the will of the Father.  They deny the sanctity of life, they refuse to worship Jesus Christ as the "one true God".  They give the appearance of tolerance and compassion by allowing idolatry into the very sanctuary of God. They deny the true and real meaning and effect of the sacraments.  In short they have an appearance of religion but deny the power of God.

But in our readings it isn't necessarily the heathens that get the wrath of God.  It is his own people who allow the wolves in the door.  It is the idolatry of his people that angers Him.  We will compromise our faith to get what we want, to hear what our itching ears want to hear.  Lord have mercy.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to resist the temptations offered by those who are not interested in true faith but just want to use it for their own gain.  Help me to not do as they do but to maintain a true faith in you.

Amen

Wolves in sheep clothing

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3 Psalm 119:33-37, 40 Matthew 7:15-20

Matthew 7:15  "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

How important this is today.  We, as Christians, have always had to beware of false teachers and wolves in sheep clothing, but today I think it is probably as bad if not worse than ever.  Before there was always a visible threat of military or political force, but to day we need to be aware of the social threat.  In today's post-modern world we are being taken from the inside out.  There is no army at our doors, but we are being silenced from internal pressure because we have become afraid to speak the truth.  We must never compromise the truth. We think that we are more compassionate or more enlightened when we give ground to other faiths, but that couldn't be further from the truth.  We must stand strong against the political correctness of this day and stand up for our faith, or as in many places in Europe it will become a thing of the past, and not just a historical novelty, but actually erased from the minds and the books of the people.  Just like the King that read the book they discovered we may be in a place where our only hope is that someone would discover a book.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always be willing to stand up for my faith and not compromise out of fear and a a false sense of pride.  The false teachers tell people what they want to hear, help me to only want your words of truth and grace.

Amen

It is too light a thing

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel:

Isaiah 49:1-6 Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15 Acts 13:22-26 Luke 1:57-66, 80

Isaiah 49:6  he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."

We can get caught up in going to church and thinking that we are doing God's will being his servants there.  But God calls Israel to be a light to the nations.  It is too small a thing to just be good to themselves.  It is important that they be good so the world can see and give glory to God.  We are not to hide our light under a bushel Jesus says, but we are to put it on a mountain so all  can see and our good works will bring glory to God.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to get out of my own little world and understand that I must be visible and effective in this world so that the world can know you and glorify you.

Amen

Have we forsaken his covenant?

First Reading: 2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15, 18
Psalm: Psalm 60:3-5, 12-13
Gospel: Matthew 7:1-5

2 Kings 17:15 They despised his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and the warnings which he gave them. They went after false idols, and became false, and they followed the nations that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them.

Have we done this today? Have we forsaken his covenant? Have we gone after false idols?
I think to some degree we have. These are issues that divide the church, the covenant, the sacraments, true worship. Many churches have become places of entertainment and self gratification. Many have put the new covenant, the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist aside as a "minor" part of their faith. This is an abomination that it would be considered a minor issue. This is the issue. Have we denied Christ and his sacrifice?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always take seriously your covenant and your ordinances. Help me to keep the faith and to realize that you are truly God and not some negotiable church format.

Amen

Value life

First Reading:Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm:Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35
Second Reading:Romans 5:12-15
Gospel:Matthew 10:26-33

Matthew 10:31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

I realize that this passage is not about evolution or anything like that, but the words ring loud and clear, we are of "more"value than the sparrows.
If Jesus is God incarnate and he know what is true, he says that we are of more value. So what do we do when there are plenty of people that value animals and plants above humans.
We need to value life, that means all facets of life. We need to fight abortion, and the treatment of people who are not capable of speaking for themselves.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always value life. Value birth, value death and value quality of life and to trust you and your grace.

Amen

No one can serve two masters

First: 2 Chronicles 24:17-25
Resp: Psalm 89:4-5,29-34
Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34

Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

This verse is taking on a bit of a new meaning for me. When you put this together with the rest of the passage where Jesus tells us not to worry about what we eat or wear I wonder about what he means by serving two masters.
I think that he is saying that our allegiance should not be double minded. That is that we should boldly follow Christ. Today there is the impression of enlightenment when we try to be accepting of others faiths, beliefs and lifestyles. God tells us bluntly that we are not to do that. Jesus tells us not to worry about our physical well being, that God will take care of us if we follow him boldly. But if we are double minded and we fear that we will not have the pleasures and comforts of this life then God will withdraw his blessings.
In this day of political correctness we must stand up and follow Christ boldly. Don't be afraid and don't worry about what they might do, that they might reject you.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always boldly follow you. Help me to have the courage and the faith to trust you and not worry about what this world will do to me.

Amen

Can we give it up?

First Reading: 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20
Psalm: Psalm 132:11-14, 17-18
Gospel: Matthew 6:19-23


Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

This is a pretty simple truth, but one that is hard to command. We live in a world where everything is controlled by money. It is hard to not live in a material world. But, the question is can we give it up at any time? This is why disciplines that include fasting and deprivation of pleasures and conveniences are of great value. They test us and train us to be able to live without if we have to.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be able to value your and your grace more than the pleasures of this world. Help me to be able to give it up when I am called to.

Amen

Righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Sirach 48:1-14 Psalm 97:1-7 Matthew 6:7-15

Psalms 97:2  Clouds and thick darkness are round about him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.  I think that we tend to make other things the foundation in our sight.  We tend to think that our devotion, bible study, ministry work, size of congregations, money from offerings etc... define us as Christians.

We judge the health of a church or of people's faith by these kind of things, yet righteousness and justice are the foundations of God's throne.  How much do we work for justice and how much do we value righteousness?  We are often preoccupied with our own agendas and I don't believe we honestly look for justice and righteousness.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always seek your righteousness and justice above all earthly rewards and indulgences. Help me to value these things realizing that they are the foundations of your throne.

Amen

Do not be like the hypocrites

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 Psalm 31:20-21, 24 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Matthew 6:5  "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Do not be like the hypocrites.  Well, who are the hypocrites?  They are people in the church. They are people of faith.  They are you and me.  We need to constantly guard against the trap of pride.  We need to never take credit for what we have and what we do except for our own sin.  Our faith should be seen though good works, not through some human definition of devotional living.  That is bible studies, participating in all kinds of ministries, being on councils and elder boards.  These things are noble and we should want to serve in these and many other ways.  But it should come as news to people when they find out you are involved in this or that, but it should not be a surprise. While they may not know what you are doing, they should not be surprised that you would do it.  Your character should be clearly evident to them without making the specific deeds that you do known.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to do good for others and to serve you willingly and honorably while not getting caught up by the temptation of pride.  Help me to humbly give you thanks for every gift that I have and to never presume your grace beyond the faith that you have given me. 

Amen

I know my transgressions

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

1 Kings 21:17-29 Psalm 51:3-6, 11, 16 Matthew 5:43-48

Psalms 51:3  For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

One of the things that is most frustrating is when we lie to each other and to ourselves.

God has given us the ability to know right from wrong.  We were created in his image.  We know when we sin.  We know it and we do it anyway.  Ahab was spared because he humbled himself. He admitted his wrong.  David in Psalm 51 admits his guilt, though you know he knew it was wrong when he went ahead and had an affair and killed her husband anyway.  He knew it was wrong.

How many time do we know what we are doing is wrong and we do it anyway?  Every time!  We always know that what we are doing is wrong.

The answer? Well, we need to follow what we know to be right and we must humble ourselves before the Lord and pray for his mercy, admitting our guilt.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to see with open eyes the lies that I live. Help me to see the sin and not do it.  And help me to be humble when I do sin and know that your mercy is my only hope and it is the best hope, because you alone are faithful.

Amen

Do not resist one who is evil?

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

1 Kings 21:1-16 Psalm 5:2-3, 4-7 Matthew 5:38-42

Matthew 5:39  But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also;

I admit that this is one of the hardest passages for me to understand and accept.  How do we not resist evil without being an accomplice to it?  If we are struck and do nothing are we not condoning the evil act and thereby promoting it?

Well, it probably is more complicated than that.  We have the promise of the resurrection, which trumps all logic and philosophy of this world.  Second, there is a difference between something done to us, and something done to others.  It is in God's nature to rescue his people.  Should we not also have that nature?  But it is also in his nature to suffer for his people.  Should we not also do that as well?

It is complicated and tough to understand, partly because we don't really want to, but I think that above all we must examine our own conscience in these circumstances. We must have righteous intentions and not just avoidance of suffering as our motive.

Father, help me have enough faith to turn the other cheek while at the same time enough courage to act on the behalf of those who are in peril and need help.  Help me to discern the difference and to act faithfully and with mercy.

Amen

While we were yet sinners

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel:

Exodus 19:2-6 Psalm 100:1-3, 5 Romans 5:6-11 Matthew 9:36 -- 10:8

Romans 5:8  But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

We like to think we are good because we do things for good people.  Christ died for sinners, for people who had betrayed, denied and hated him.  He died for sinners.

Can we love the sinners?

Father, help me by  your Holy Spirit to not only bless those who I think are deserving, but all people. Help me to trust that love is what you want from us and that you will be with us.

Amen

Do not swear at all

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

1 Kings 19:19-21 Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-10 Matthew 5:33-37

Matthew 5:34  But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,

Swear is a confusing word.  I get the sense that it means to have faith in something.  If you swear by something you are saying that this is the way it is going to be and should be, no matter what.  We can swear by Jesus Christ for example saying that we believe he is God and he rose from the dead.

But we need to be careful when dealing with other things like politicians and celebrities and athletes, or even ideologies and religious doctrines. We should not swear by them because God created all things and can do what he wishes.  We need to place our trust in him above all else.  Swear only by the name of Jesus Christ and him crucified.

The division in the church and in politics comes from us swearing by something.  We place our allegiance to something above our faith in God.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always trust in you first, above all else.  Help me to not place the status and accomplishments or even the character of your creatures above you for you have to will to do as you will.  Rather help me to say "if the Lord wills it".

Amen

Unity of the faith

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Wisdom 7:7-14 or Ephesians 4:7, 11-15 Psalm 40:3-4, 10-11, 17 Mark 16:15-20

Ephesians 4:13  until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

Often this passage that talks about equipping the saints is used as a basis for development of ministries, but they often forget or don't read to verse 13.  The purpose of equipping the saints is the unity of the faith.  God can call anybody he wants to faith, but the structure that he has given us and the roles that are defined for us are for the purpose of uniting the faithful.  So you have to ask yourself, are those who are ministering to the church working for unity or division.  If the message is telling you why you are a better Christian than the other denomination and creating a spirit of prejudice and exclusivity, then you have to ask if they are working for the purpose of unity which according to this passage is why they are in that position in the first place.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always work for unity of the faith and not to seek to divide believers for my own fear and pride. Help me to keep your will ahead of my own.

Amen

Give your accuser a chance

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

1 Kings 18:41-46 Psalm 65:10-13 Matthew 5:20-26

Matthew 5:25  Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison;

This sounds a little strange to me.  You would think Jesus would say don't compromise yourself and associate with those who accuse you.  But he says to make friends so that they don't throw you in prison for the rest of your life.

I struggle with this.  It seems like we are being instructed to "play the game".  But I think the calling is higher and more significant than our little lives.  Yes, we might be spared, but what are the long term ramification of that.  Let's look.  It gives the accuse a chance to show mercy.  It gives peace and reconciliation a chance to happen.

We have to ask ourselves sometimes what is our purpose for doing what we do.  Is it for the benefit of others or ourselves?  We are called to show mercy as an example to others.  Let's not then take away their opportunity to show mercy as well.  Both for the example and their own edification.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always consider the other person.  Help me to think not about how good they should be, but to consider whether I am giving them the opportunity or I am preventing them from real spiritual growth by not trusting them and not trusting God.

Amen

they sent Barnabas

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3 Psalm 98:1-6 Matthew 10:7-13

Acts 11:22  News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

This is a very interesting passage.  Clearly the Spirit goes where it wills.  The "church" doesn't have sole authority to facilitate the work of the Holy Spirit.  Yet, when the church heard about the conversion of the people they sent apostles to them. 

Today the Spirit works in many different communities and peoples.  But does the "church" send people to them?  This I fear is a concept that we have lost.  How can the "church" send people?  Who is the church and who are the people?

It is  my observation that we are more willing to draw lines of division and exclude the new converts than we are to embrace them and sanctify them.  Like wise, then new converts seem more willing to flex their own spiritual muscles, or lack there of, and refuse the blessing of the "church", thinking they are above that.

There is a certain humility and grace in this passage that we have all but lost today.  This, perhaps, is one of the biggest tragedies of the church of today.  Maybe this is part of what Jesus meant when he asked if he would find faith when he returned.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always, in humility, appreciate that I don't decide who the Christians are, but you do.  Help me to serve to work towards unity in the body rather than to help facilitate the division.

Amen

Offer right sacrifices

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

1 Kings 17:7-16 Psalm 4:2-5, 7-8 Matthew 5:13-16

Psalm 4:5  Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD

In some places we are told that God prefers mercy rather than sacrifice.  But the problem is not the sacrifice but rather the "rightness" of the sacrifice. Elijah told the woman to feed him first with what she thought was the last of the food and oil.  It took great trust, to do that.  God asks us to trust him and our sacrifice is a sign of our trust.  What we give and are willing to give is a measure of our faith and trust in the Lord.

Yes, we should  always show mercy, but you have to trust God even to do that.  Our sacrifice is a measure of our trust.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always show mercy but to also trust you enough to make my sacrifice to be acceptable to you.

Amen

From whence does my help come?

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

1 Kings 17:1-6 Psalm 121:1-8 Matthew 5:1-12

Psalms 121:6  The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.

Why doesn't the global warming "crisis" resonate with Christians?  It is because their help comes from the Lord. The doom and gloom message of those who have no faith can not undermine the steady faith of those who truly understand that God is the creator of heaven and earth and he can build or destroy anything he chooses.  And he can defend us even from ourselves.  That is what the whole message of grace is all about.  How god has saved us from ourselves.  

Now, we must act in good faith.  We must be good stewards of the gifts that God has given us and we must take care of this earth that we live on.  Not because we will ruin it, but because greed and the lust of the flesh leads us to sin.  We need to concern ourselves with sin.  God can fix the planet if it needs fixing or if he decides to have mercy.  But those who want to "save" the planet can't even save themselves unless they turn to God and seek his mercy and righteousness.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be conscious of my own indulgent behavior and lead me not into sin, but to the life that you would have me live.  Help me to look to you for help and not fall into the trap of thinking that I can save anything by my own efforts.

Amen

Merrrccccyyyy!!

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel:

Hosea 6:3-6 Psalm 50:1, 8, 12-15 Romans 4:18-25 Matthew 9:9-13

Matthew 9:13  Go and learn what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

This is a very interesting saying.  The Lord desires mercy because he is calling sinners.  That means he is calling the recipients of the mercy.  He doesn't seem to be saying the givers of the mercy.  Yet unless we give mercy, how can the sinners receive the mercy.  And how do we receive mercy except form Christ himself?

Mercy is the key, but we must approach it with and attitude of giving thanks for it rather than measure how well we do it.  The thing that God wants more than anything is for us to recognize his love for us and give him thanks.  That thanks then pours out as mercy for our brothers and sisters.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to first of all thank you for all that you have given and done for me.  Then to share that with others through mercy and love.

Amen

It's all about the works

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

2 Timothy 3:10-17 Psalm 119:157, 160-161, 165-166, 168 Mark 12:35-37

2 Timothy 3:17  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 

2 Timothy 3:15 is a verse that may be familiar to many.  It is one of the foundational verses used to proof text the concept of Sola Scriptura.  But I find that you have to read the entire passage to see what Paul is saying and verse 15 isn't really the punch line here.  Usually the punch line comes at the end and here it does as well.  Not only the scriptures, but Paul and his example and the family support of Timothy and of all those who have taught him are part of the support structure that equips him for every good work.  There it is.  The punch line is we are to do good works and all the other stuff is to help equip us for these works.  To see Sola Scriptura in this passage is to not read the passage at all.  

We are called to repent, to change, to lead a new life where we don't sin.  This is our goal.  If the scriptures were sufficient then our goal would simply be to read them.  But that is not what we are called to.  And Paul make a special point that others including himself are examples for us.  Yes, they do sin, but that also helps to give us an honest picture so we can better discern what is right and what is wrong.  It is all there to help and equip us to do good works.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to not fall into the religion trap of thinking that the scriptures and the analysis of them is going to be sufficient.  Help me to see what needs to be done and then have the courage to act as you call me to.

Amen

Are we in denial

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

2 Timothy 2:8-15 Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14 Mark 12:28-34

2 Timothy 2:13  if we are faithless, he remains faithful -- for he cannot deny himself.

Do we deny ourselves and then in turn deny others?  Jesus remains faithful even when others are not.  That way he doesn't deny us.  When we cave into peer pressure we not only deny ourselves, that is to say we deny who and what we are, but in turn we let others down as well.  We count on each other to remain faithful to who and what we are.  When we fail and deny that we are an offense to others.

In this political season there are on display people who are quite good at denying who they are and then denying those of us who vote for them and count on them to stand for us and what we believe, and what we think they believe.  We must learn to look for those who remain faithful to their word and to who they are.  Jesus is that man.  He will not let us down even when everybody else fails.

Father, thank you for remaining faithful even when we are not. We fail too often and yet yo died for us while we were yet sinners.  Thank you for that and then by your Holy Spirit help me to act faithfully and not let my brothers and sisters down by denying who and what I am and who and what you are.

Amen

To know is more than just having knowledge

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12 Psalm 123:1-2 Mark 12:18-27

Mark 12:24  Jesus said to them, "Is not this why you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God?

They didn't know the scriptures or the power of God?  Well certainly they must have, or at least they thought they did. But I think that Jesus is indicating that this is more than an intellectual exercise. To know the scriptures and the power of God you have to live a life of faith.  It is more than studying the Bible and going to church to hear a good sermon.  You get to know it when you live it, when you trust it and die to it.  This is something many of us are not so willing to so.  We like to keep a "safe" distance between us and the big unknown of true faith.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to truly know you and your word.  Help me to trust you and live a life that will exemplify the grace you have given me.  Help me to see that it is more than study and debate and reason, but it means stepping into the unknown and trusting you.

Amen