Good Morning! The Lord has blessed us today with a glorious dose of spring. It is truly a magnificent day.
Sometimes when we read scripture we encountered wisdom and truth, and sometimes a word or phrase can just hit us totally out of context (a non-sequitur). In today’s readings I had both experiences.
Paul’s epistle lesson from Romans has a great deal to say to us about the true religion. It’s not found in ritual obedience: it’s found in the heart. But before you think about splitting what Paul calls the true inward faith found in the heart from action in the world, stop! Paul is not suggesting that good works are unnecessary. He is simply contrasting blind ritual obedience to a variety of “religious laws” which may come about mindlessly and without feeling with the change in our hearts that God wants from us. That change of heart will produce good works, but appearing to be “religious” by simply acting out some regulations is not even religion. Paul knows that if God’s love is acting in and through our hearts then works of kindness and charity will follow.
He also talks about the constancy of God’s faithfulness to us even when we are unfaithful. The promises given to us by God through Jesus are not dependent on our weaknesses or even our strengths. God will remain faithful to us. When we stumble and fall, the Lord will pick us up and help us start again. It is important that we remember God’s faithfulness so that we do get back up. We can never claim that God has placed an impediment in our lives blocking our ability to return to God’s presence or receive God’s grace. If there are any impediments, we have put them there. God waits for us, always.
In the Gospel, Jesus talks about “from the heart” as well. Sometimes we think that this parable – as well as the Lord’s Prayer – is suggesting that God forgives us when we forgive. That’s incorrect. God has already forgiven us, and so it is incumbent upon us to forgive as we have been forgiven. God is faithful. God’s forgiveness has already been granted to us. If it has been received in our hearts, then we will forgive as we have been forgiven. The rewards of God’s grace are there for us, even at this very moment. How we respond in the world is the clearest indicator of whether or not we have accepted God’s grace and forgiveness.
Prayer: Lord God, thank you. Thank you for the love and forgiveness that You have given to us through the life and sacrifice of Jesus. Shape us, O God, so that in our lives here all who see us will see Your love and what it has meant in our lives. In His name we are bold to bring You our prayers. Amen.
Today’s readings are Numbers 13:1-3, 21-30; Romans 2:25-3:8; Matthew 18:21-35; Morning Psalm 88 and Evening Psalms 91 & 92.
Blessings.
Pastor Jim
PS The non-sequitur came in the Romans reading. If you are a fan of Dr. Gregory House it may hit you as well: “everyone is a liar.” House used is cynically. Paul uses it to contrast our condition to the constant truth that is the condition of God.
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