Word to the Wise
Thursday, December 1, 2022 - 1st Week of Advent - Thurs
[Isa 26:1-6 and Matt 7:21, 24-27]"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. Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock." [Matthew]
I think most of us are familiar with the old saying: "Actions speak louder than words!" Jesus seems to be saying that to anyone who claims to be a believer but does not show it in their actions. Perhaps he also would include "listening" as well, before acting. I have mentioned before in my reflections a poster I once had that said, "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" Lawyer that I am, that statement would strike a chord from my law school days. A verbal claim has to be supported by physical evidence. It is not enough to yell! (We call that "special pleading!")
The passage in today's gospel scripture comes from the end of the Sermon on the Mount, not long after "the Lord's Prayer!" Right after that prayer (in the same size print - not a footnote) is the challenge to forgive others as God forgives us. If there is a difficult "action" in Christian life, forgiveness has to be it!!
The intent of the Advent season is preparation for the celebration of Jesus' birth as a human among us. Forglveness is not only good for our own souls, it is good for the soul of the one we are forgiving or from whom we ask forgiveness. In short, it could be a very great Christmas gift! Actions match words when we say, "I forgive you!" or "Please forgive me!" AMEN
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