Homily for February 27, 2018.
“…so
practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they
preach, but do not practice.” Matthew 23:3.
You are
not what you say you are or preach,
You are
not what you think you are,
You are
not what others think you are,
You are
not what your job description says,
You are
what you do!
The Christian
life is not a show. It is never about giving impressions, it is about living
the life! Not too long ago, I read about how a certain man of God was arraigned
in court for killing a pregnant lady as well as another woman with a nine-month
old baby all in an attempt to cover up his immoral relationship with the
pregnant lady.
It was the
type of life people were living that merited them the name “Christian.” It wasn’t
that they decided to call themselves that name. If you really want to know who
you are, forget about the praises and adulations you receive from others, ask
yourself: “what do my actions say about me?” What are those things I do especially
in secret?
The
prophet Isaiah speaks to us in very sharp terms; “Wash yourselves; make
yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doing from before my eyes, learn to
do good, seek justice, correct oppression, defend the fatherless, plead for the
widow…” Isaiah 1:16ff
Somehow,
Isaiah re-echoes the words of Ezekiel in our readings a few days ago. When one
repents and changes his ways, everything he has done in the past will be
forgotten. “Come now, let’s reason together, though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be white as snow.”
And just
as Abraham was richly blessed for his obedience and willingness to sacrifice
his Son Isaac, whom he loved so much, we too are called to be obedient to God
and be willing to sacrifice all those things we love too much which are not in
line with our Christian faith.
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, show me the path of true holiness. Amen.
Be happy,
live positive, it is well with you. Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent.
Bible Study: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 and Matthew
23:1-12.
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