WEDNESDAY, April 28

Matthew 5:17-20. Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

There is something intimidating about Jesus and the demands that he makes in the Sermon on the Mount. I sometimes want to say, "Jesus, please leave me alone, let go of your impossible expectations, and let me live my life in peace! You ask too much." Thank heaven, though, that Jesus knows me better than I know myself, that he sees buried deep down within me the seeds of a loving way of life, seeds I no longer see.

Life has hardened me, as it probably has you, and I tend to become cynical about such teachings as "Turn the other cheek." But in Jesus it becomes clear that people can forgive, share, be reconciled, and make peace; such a way of life is not an empty dream or idle fantasizing. It is possible both because God created us to live in such a way, and because Jesus activates, so to speak, the latent potential.

Many people in the course of my life have brought out the best in me in some way; but only one has used unconditional love as the means to that end, because only one has that love. (1987)

PRAY for the Diocese of Central Philippines (Philippines)

Ps 119:49-72 * 49, [53]; Exodus 33:1-23; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

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

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Apr 28, 2010 at 7:26 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

This meditation reminds me of what Jesus also said, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." We move down a path of choices. Walking the path can be a burden. Making choices can be a burden. The results of the choices are burdens.

Follow Jesus. His way is the Good News. If we all forgive, share, be reconciled and make peace our yoke will be easy and our burden will be light.

Forgiveness

Apr 28, 2010 at 9:51 am

Written by Lois C.,

When I think of forgiveness, I think of some incredible people who have followed His path, people like Carre Tenboom, Archbishop Tutu, Immacule Ilibaganza and a gentleman I was priveleged to hear who appeared at the trial of his son's murderer and in answer to the 17-year-old's plea for forgiveness when given the opportunity to speak said, "I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I forgive you." There was stunned silence in the courtroom. How can I withhold forgiveness for petty injuries in the face of all this?

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Apr 28, 2010 at 11:10 am

Written by Mike Patterson,

Certainly God wants us "to forgive, share, be reconciled, and make peace." This is definitely for our own well-being. Carrying grudges, animosities, resentments, hatreds, disappointments throughout our lives eats away at us. We are always much better people when we let go of our problems.

Editor, Forward Day by Day

Apr 28, 2010 at 2:42 pm

Written by Richard H Schmidt,

All three of you have got it exactly right. It's easier to talk about forgiveness than to do it, of course, but sometimes talking about it is the first step toward doing it.

...

Apr 28, 2010 at 2:44 pm

Written by Karen Rice,

Whom folowed Jesus? Back in Matt. 4:23-25, He healed EVERYONE. Huge crowds. Did those healed head back to homes, or stay wanting more?

For the first time, word is spreading like wildfire. God is tangible. Real. Has skin. His feet get dusty. He looks me in the eye. Listens. Through actions, He honors what His Father has done, is planning. In love, He shows first through action, then rightfully nudges me to the truth. He is here to unblind, take what I've been given and apply it as the Covenant from God. Can this truly be Him? Can I see how He turns no one, absolutely no one away? As hope tightens across my chest, as my brain refuses to enclose even the smallest of fractional pieces of what that means, maybe, like all good news, when communicated directly, eyes locked in, words spoken right to me, it makes it easier to dance in the moment....and to hold on to when darkness presses in, waiting for Dawn.

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