FRIDAY, July 23

Psalm 51: Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Stuart Chase tells of a brilliant young accountant who, after earning his C.P.A., had an opportunity to make a million dollars in a few weeks' time by certain questionable methods. The methods had to do with adjusting income tax returns. He told his mother of the glittering opportunity which had been offered him.

"Tom," she said, "you know when I come to wake you up in the morning, I shake you hard, and you don't stir." "Yes," he replied. "And then I shake you harder and you give a little moan." "Yes," he replied again. "And finally I shake as hard as I can, and you open one sleepy eye." "Yes," came the reply the third time. "Well," said his mother, "I'd hate to come into your room morning after morning and find you wide awake." The young man turned down the job.

Bookstores today devote entire shelves to advice about ways to reduce tension, prevent strain and worry, and gain that precious possession known as peace of mind. The source of the most profound inner peace and serenity is not anything recently discovered. It is a clean heart before God, the habit of inner integrity, a clear conscience. (1965)

PRAY for the Diocese of Niassa (Southern Africa)

Ps 40, 54 * 51; Joshua 9:22-10:15; Romans 15:14-24; Matthew 27:1-10

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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Jul 23, 2010 at 12:30 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

Tom's mother has amazing wisdom.

Yes

Jul 23, 2010 at 7:43 am

Written by Stephen,

Yes, this is wisdom. Applied to today's situation, the financial mess we are in is due to all of us who chased after easy money. The conflicted consciences of many are the true spoils as well as the hardship of those who unwittingly bought in to the "American Dream" manufactured for us by the world (the bad part). I pray that any responsible not seek to do more harm or harm themselves, but be held accountable, pay restitution, loan without usuries, borrow with discernment and seek Gods forgiveness. Just think of all the money that could have gone toward doing good, but instead went to those who merely wanted to amass excessive wealth at the expense of others.

Greed

Jul 23, 2010 at 8:03 am

Written by Jean Erwin,

The downfall of our society is greed, the loss of moral values and accent on "me-ism". You are right about the concentration on self help books and seeking ways to improve and help one's self. The irony is that ALL the help, wisdom and advice we'll EVER need is in the Bible - starting with the Ten Commandments. Let's hope our society wakes up before it's too late.

integrity

Jul 23, 2010 at 8:50 am

Written by Nora,

I agree - the downfall of our society is greed - also lies. In the Lord's Prayer I pray for myself and my husband, the people of the Gulf states, and all people who've been hurt by corporate carelessness and greed, and I pray for those leaders and government officials who let their people down. I believe that because of the greed, lies, and cowardice of the powerful, there is great evil in the world. While I watch the beautiful works of God being destroyed by these forces of evil, it comforts me to know that God will have final say! I hope to stay always on the side of the all-powerful Source of all love and compassion, even if it never makes me a dime.

...

Jul 23, 2010 at 8:55 am

Written by Pamela,

The woman in this story was clearly a God-mother.

...

Jul 23, 2010 at 8:57 am

Written by Andrea,

It's very tempting to look outside ourselves and see all the other people who are greedy, self-centered, and generally responsible for "the downfall of society." People have been doing that since the dawn of time! (It's really amazing to read ancient texts that talk about how this or that is ruining or going to ruin society, life as we know it, etc. And yet, we're still here.) To me, both the challenge and the real benefit of following Jesus is his unique understanding of human nature. He calls me to take the log out of my eye before looking for the speck in my neighbor's. So I wonder, how has my greed made the world a worse place, and what can I do now to make amends? I never got rich in a housing bubble, I never made questionable loans, I've never owned credit default swaps... I'm a regular middle class, middle aged mom. But how do my actions and inactions stand up to God's scrutiny? How clean is my heart?

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