~~~ Ezekiel 18: 21-28 ~~~ Psalm 130 ~~~ Matt. 5: 20-16 ~~~
"...unless your righteousness surpasses that of scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."
The scribes and Pharisees were the scholars the professional enforcers of the laws. The Pharisees knew scripture extremely well, prayed, tithed. They were the self righteous of their time. They were more interested in the letter of the law. They were not necessarily following God with their heart. They were just going through the motions. Jesus is saying don't try to pretend you are holy by outward appearances. It does not work with me, you are only fooling yourself.
We live in a cultural environment where you are constantly bring scrutinized. Are you doing this or that 'right'. In our city there has been much publicity and controversy over the red light cameras. Did you really run the red light? Were you actually the driver?
In our public schools the majority of the time teachers are looking for what is incorrect on the students work. The student's work gets covered with red marks, even inte margins. I have met individuals who quit trying because they know someone will always be there to find fault. Improvment is more than just finding fault. The desire to improve must also be part of the equation.
There is a well known scripture about seeing the plank and the splinter. I am sure you know the one I am referring to here. Some think that righteousness means to be in the crow's nest overseeing what other's are doing; in order to correct and set them on the right path.
Jesus is saying all that really matters is your relationship with me. He says I can overlook your imperfections on one condition...is your heart in the right place. Jesus says I have infinite mercy. Jesus says I understand when you fall. He had the physical experience of carrying the cross, not just any cross, but our cross heavily laden with our sins. The weight and burden so great that he fell three times.
As I heard in the homily this morning...Jesus extends his mercy to us, which is bigger than anything we could possibly imagine.
We do not need the Pharisees, but yet they still do inhabit our society today.
Jesus has given us the tools we need to live a life blessed with mercy.
'Your sins are forgiven, now go in peace and sin no more.'
That sentence is often heard at the end of reconciliation.
We live in a cultural environment where you are constantly bring scrutinized. Are you doing this or that 'right'. In our city there has been much publicity and controversy over the red light cameras. Did you really run the red light? Were you actually the driver?
In our public schools the majority of the time teachers are looking for what is incorrect on the students work. The student's work gets covered with red marks, even inte margins. I have met individuals who quit trying because they know someone will always be there to find fault. Improvment is more than just finding fault. The desire to improve must also be part of the equation.
There is a well known scripture about seeing the plank and the splinter. I am sure you know the one I am referring to here. Some think that righteousness means to be in the crow's nest overseeing what other's are doing; in order to correct and set them on the right path.
Jesus is saying all that really matters is your relationship with me. He says I can overlook your imperfections on one condition...is your heart in the right place. Jesus says I have infinite mercy. Jesus says I understand when you fall. He had the physical experience of carrying the cross, not just any cross, but our cross heavily laden with our sins. The weight and burden so great that he fell three times.
As I heard in the homily this morning...Jesus extends his mercy to us, which is bigger than anything we could possibly imagine.
We do not need the Pharisees, but yet they still do inhabit our society today.
Jesus has given us the tools we need to live a life blessed with mercy.
'Your sins are forgiven, now go in peace and sin no more.'
That sentence is often heard at the end of reconciliation.
We may not see or feel God's mercy in our life, but it is there. It is what gives us hope for an eternity with God in heaven. Without his mercy we would be lost in every sense of the word, but especially spiritually.
In this kaleidoscope image has captured God's loving eyes as he looks down on us extending his mercy.
Allow God to overshadow you with his mercy.
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