Category: Uncategorized

***

Gospel: Matthew 7: 6, 12-14

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate;
for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction,
and those who enter through it are many.
How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.
And those who find it are few.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine.”

***

There are a few phrases in the Gospels that either make little sense or seem lost in translation. This is one of them.

But the early Church took these words of Christ seriously. To them, they implied an exclusiveness; or, an “us versus them” mentality.

Jesus makes the distinction between what is holy versus what is unholy, thrown to dogs; between pearls and pigs. 

Christians saw themselves as the “holy” ones. 

While they intended to spread the Gospel message to the ends of the earth, they also needed to form boundaries, limiting their interactions with those who did not believe.

Otherwise, they were concerned that the immoral practices of non-believers would rub off on them, watering down their faith. The last thing Christians wanted was someone who claimed to follow Christ in their speech, but failed to do so in their actions.

For this reason, before celebrating the Eucharist, the deacon would announce to the congregation, “Holy things for holy people,” reminding them that only those who were inwardly pure should receive our Lord.

***

You and I can benefit from this reminder today. 

While we must live in the world, we are not of it. Be careful not to let the doubt, the skepticism, or the immorality of non-believers rub off on you. 

Otherwise, our faith gets watered down.

***

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine.”

***

Make every effort to remain undefiled, living a holy and a pure life. 

***

***

Image credits: (1) Mission Venture Ministries – WordPress (2) Got Questions (3) Northern Hills Baptist Church, YouTube

***

Gospel: Matthew: 7:1-5

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Stop judging, that you may not be judged.
For as you judge, so will you be judged,
and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?
How can you say to your brother,
‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’
while the wooden beam is in your eye?
You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

Why is it so harmful to judge other people?

***

Because judgments lead to generalizations. 

***

For example, if a child is bit by a dog once, then he or she can develop a fear of dogs. Suddenly, every dog is dangerous.

Or, if you have one bad meal at a restaurant, it’s easy to say, “I’ll never return.”

***

While we need to make certain judgment calls to protect ourselves, what Jesus warns us about is judging the morality or character of another person.

For example, if we judge someone for losing their temper once, then it it’s easy to say, “Oh, he’s an angry person.”

Or, if someone makes one impure joke, it’s easy to say, “That’s an impure person.”

But it’s not the business of Christians to be the confident moralist who passes judgement on those who stumble – not publicly, and not in the silence of our hearts.

As Mother Teresa once said, “If you spend all your time judging other people, then you have no time to love them.”

***

Perhaps we should examine our hearts today and consider how we see other people. Have we developed unfair judgments of others? 

Or do we readily forgive and offer a second chance?

***

“For as you judge,” Jesus says, “so you will be judged.”

***

***

Image credits: (1) Boldomatic (2) Inspirations – WordPress.com (3) Cripplegate

***

Gospel: Matthew 6: 19-23

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.
But store up treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

“The lamp of the body is the eye.
If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light;
but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness.
And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

I was in Kansas last week, celebrating the baptism of my cousin’s daughter. While it was wonderful being with them, there’s always a certain stress I associate with airports.

You have to wake up early, plan your arrival, and then begin standing in a series of lines.

For example, when it’s your turn to pass through security, you must empty your pockets, remove your belt and shoes, separate your electronics, and slide everything you’ve packed onto a conveyor belt.

Then approach the x-ray scanner with your arms up, pockets empty, and shoes off.

That narrow gate has no room for your luggage. I myself can barely fit!

***

Isn’t that an appropriate image for life? 

We cannot take anything with us when we pass through that narrow gate of death; all we can bring with us are the good works we’ve done, the faith and the relationships we’ve nurtured.

“Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and decay can destroy,” Jesus says, “but store up treasures in heaven.”

***

How much treasure do I have stored up in heaven? And how much do I have stored up on earth?

***

May we spend the day doing what matters – loving our God and our neighbor as ourselves.

***

(A little humor today!)

***

Image credits: (1) Kingdom Virtues (2) HolyArt.com (3) India Travel, IndiaMike.com