SUNDAY, October 2

Matthew 21:33-46. So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

The diocese in which I now live and serve has been torn apart by those who believed they were the only true Christians. Parishes have been divided, friendships broken, communities rent asunder, all in the name of Jesus, proclaiming, “I am right and you are wrong.”

People on both sides believe and assert that they were and are on Jesus’ side, on the side of all that is right, good, and just. They wanted to point the finger but not to be the object of finger pointing themselves.

But the truth is that when we point our index finger at others, three fingers point back at us. Try it. Then smile and think of God reminding us that we are all created children of God and that none of us possesses or understands the full measure of God’s truth.

In our dealings with one another let us be more eager to understand those who differ from us than either to refute them or to press upon them our own tradition....Wherever there are divisions which persist, there is sure to be something of value on both sides.

--William Temple

PRAY for the Diocese of St. Asaph (Wales)

Ps 19 and Exodus 20:1-4,7-9,12-20—OR—Ps 80:7-14 and Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 3:4b-14

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we point our index finger at others, three fingers point back at us.

Oct 02, 2011 at 6:56 am

Written by Chris,

A favorite aunt who is know by our family for her "fist waving" and expressing strongly her religious beliefs was a recent topic of debate by some of the family. "How can she possibly feel and think this way, I just don't understand" were among the comments. And then a wise friend of the family said, "your Aunt feels the same way about you, how can you possibly feel and think your way, and she doesn't understand". He closed with, "and God loves her as He loves you". I will try to remember the three fingers, smile and think of God. Amen. Thank you..

ah-ha moment

Oct 02, 2011 at 8:48 am

Written by Mary Summers Hearn,

43Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.*

How many times have I read this passage...and only this time has this particular verse jumped out at me! If we don't do as God bids, we really will be the loser...talk about three fingers pointing back, this is His finger pointing at us. We the church, the people, will lose in the end. Lord have mercy.

...

Oct 02, 2011 at 10:16 am

Written by Barbara Summers,

Jesus did not create denominations and divisions; Paul even addressed the problem of divisiveness.

...

Oct 02, 2011 at 11:00 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

Every time two are more are gathered in Jesus name God sends his son, saying, "They will respect my son."

Surely we will stop fighting over the kingdom of God ... how ludicrous that we fight over love, mercy, and forgiveness.

...

Oct 02, 2011 at 11:13 am

Written by E. Linda Cushner,

The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness and self control according to St. Paul.
I don't always agree with St. Paul but his motive is excellent. He preaches the love of Christ
and salvation. Christ is LOVE. Can you imagine loving us so much that He gave His life for us on the cross?
Just read 1 Cor:13, "And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three and the greatest of them is love.
So when we do not agree, then put it all at the feet of the cross and ask God to help us understand our brothers and sisters. I can promise you that He will find a way and I can also promise you that it will not be through division or hatred or judgement.

The Love That Binds

Oct 02, 2011 at 12:17 pm

Written by emeline,

"Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, with cords that cannot be broken." In our borken state, God binds us together, demonstrating to us that we are to accept and love each other in spite of our differences. No matter what denomination we blong to, the common thread that keeps us closely-knitted is the LOVE OF GOD. Differences help us to see the diverse nature of our humanness and God's Divine Love for us. Let us celebrate our differences through the Oneness of God!

Instructive meditation and comments

Oct 02, 2011 at 6:42 pm

Written by Sam,

Two verses from well known hymns come to mind:
Cure Thy children’s warring madness,Bend our pride to Thy control.
Shame our wanton selfish gladness,Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal.
AND
Though with a scornful wonder,Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,By heresies distressed:
Yet saints their watch are keeping,Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song!

Hopefully sooner than later we shall realize that as we are all God's creation, we are all equally loved and none is better than the other. And we cannot profess to love God if we hate our brother. I like to remember Luke 6:42 in these instances: "... hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

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