oday's Reflections
Reflections
October 30, 2011, 8:00am
Matthew 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying, “The scribes
and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do
not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They
tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people’s
shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works
are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen
their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in
synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As
for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are
all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father
in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master;’ you have but one master, the
Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts
himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Reflection:
Reflection:
They preach but they do not practice. When we were ordained deacons,
we were given the Bible with this instruction and prayer: “Receive the
Gospel whose herald you are. Believe what you read, preach what you
believe, and practice what you preach.” That night I added for myself to
those words: “Pray what you practice!”
Faith is not only belief, praxis, and prayer. It is a relationship
and a crisscrossing of receiving, believing, practicing, praying,
living, and sharing. It is primarily witnessing to a caring God for a
searching people. It is reflecting on the things we do and the things
that happen to us. It is finding an everyday God with His message and
plan for us in all our undertakings.
We work, struggle, earn our keep, relate, plan, and engage in various
activities. Let us not forget to include the different works of faith.
Enthrone a Bible in your home.
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