WEDNESDAY, September 28

Matthew 7:13-21. Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord.” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

Religious leaders lose credibility when a scandal in their private lives or in their public conduct belies the faith they profess and teach. We are aware of many sad examples of this. Many of us are hesitant to trust religious leaders and public officials on their words alone. We guard our trust in fear that our trust will be violated by their misconduct.

The old cliche is that we must practice what we preach, and it applies not only to leaders but to each of us. You and I can miss the kingdom of heaven simply by harboring ill thoughts about others, by speaking unkindly, by sneaky money maneuvers, or by what we do when we think no one is watching us.

Jesus’ invitation into the kingdom of heaven is a call to conversion of life—of words, of attitudes, and of actions. All three.

So, while we are vigilant about people in the headlines, let’s be vigilant too about the one we see in the mirror.

PRAY for the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia (Province III, USA)

Ps 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30 * 119:121-144; 2 Kings 18:9-25; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
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Sep 28, 2011 at 6:42 am

Written by emeline,

Let our lives be models for others to emulate. A pretentious life is not pleasing to God, and is therefore not encouraged. We are soldiers of the Cross.

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Sep 28, 2011 at 6:44 am

Written by Andrea,

Reminds me of the old Michael Jackson song, "Man in the Mirror": "I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror/I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways/And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer/If You Wanna Make The World/A Better Place/Take A Look At Yourself,/And Then Make A Change."

...

Sep 28, 2011 at 6:48 am

Written by Bonnie ,

"Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?"
Matthew 7:3

Smoke and Mirrors

Sep 28, 2011 at 7:03 am

Written by Stephen,

As I assess my own failures I keep them in the right ballpark, I hope. The problem with political moralists is that they often are engaged in the very thing they rail against. Their personal habits are of consequence mostly to their God and their family. their inability to act morally in service to our nation effects everyone. Our leaders should spend less time legislating morality and more time morally legislating the things that help people.

Integrity

Sep 28, 2011 at 7:04 am

Written by Scott,

When I read this verse, I am reminded of the word "integrity" and what my parents taught it to me to mean - "doing the right thing, even when no one is watching." God is always watching, so live your life with integrity, and the Kingdom of Heaven will be yours.

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Sep 28, 2011 at 8:45 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

The cliche about how power corrupts us really true. Power really brings out the animal in us. I am surprised at how I change when given even a very low level of power.

Giving

Sep 28, 2011 at 9:28 am

Written by Mary kier,

This also can be applied to tithing. I am trying to reconstruct my budget so I can give more. It is an act of "doing" not just going to church and praying. What can we do today to carry out "thy will be done."

...

Sep 28, 2011 at 10:58 am

Written by E. Linda Cushner,

All the comments are so true, especially the one about politicians. However let us not forget that God has a boundless love for us and forgives us for our sins and foibles and bad habits and so because we all are sinners we should not judge others. Try to live one day without judging anyone and forgiving everyone. It is very hard because I think that on those partiular days, the evil one, throws more challenges into my path then I can deal with. All and all I have to give it over to the Lord because I cannot do this by myself. That is the wonderful part of the Christian faith. We have a helper, a guide, a friend and a forgivver.

Try to be perfect but sometimes fail

Sep 28, 2011 at 7:50 pm

Written by Rick,

And then, there is forgiveness. We can try to be good always but will often fail. We shouldn't judge others either because we are all sinners who will one day "stand before the judgement seat of God" where the blood of Jesus will be what saves us.

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