he will purify

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14 Luke 1:57-66

Malachi 3:3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they present right offerings to the LORD.

There seems to be two popular notions about how are relationship with God is to be. One says that we must be good to get the blessings of God. The other says that God accepts us as we are. I think neither of these is completely correct. God wants to change us. We enter into relationship with him as sinners, but he doesn't accept us like that. He wants to change us and as we cooperate with him we come to realize the blessings that he has already given us, and is giving us, and will give us. The key is change. We have to be willing to change if we are going to have a relationship with God.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be willing to change, to leave the comfort of my sins and to enter into a relationship based on truth and love.

Amen