MONDAY, June 21

Romans 3:21-31. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Most of us are not notorious evil-doers, but it may come as a shock to realize that we are not perfect. "Oh, I'm not a sinner--sinners commit murder and cheat and are slimy characters," we may say. But then we are not Jesus either--he was perfect. And yes, we have sinned, and then probably within seconds of having our sins forgiven in church on Sunday morning, have sinned once again in thought, mind, and maybe even deed.

Receiving the gift of grace, bought for us through the death of Jesus Christ, is often difficult. In giving a gift we are in control; in receiving a gift someone else is. Poor receivers, we are often loath to accept a gift, a compliment, even love itself. Grace is a free gift. We do nothing to earn it--we can't--with good works, money, or success. We do have to ask for it--and for many of us it is difficult to know even that we need it. There is such a thing as a "free lunch." It is called the grace of God. (2004)

PRAY for the Diocese of Dominican Republic (Province IX, USA)

Ps 89:1-18 * 89:19-52; Numbers 16:1-19; Matthew 19:13-22

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

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