In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 23, Jesus continues His castigation of the scribes and Pharisees. I suspect these guys were none too happy with what they were hearing!
In the first reading from 1 Thessalonians 2, St. Paul says to the believers, "We treated each one of you as a father treats his children, exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into his Kingdom and glory." I believe this is the calling of the Church - to call all people to their highest.
Is the Church still doing this? I certainly hope so, but I must admit I sometimes wonder. But here's the good news. We are the Church. We don't need to leave this job to our bishops and priests. We must take up the mantle. We must call each other to the highest standards; to live in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into his Kingdom and glory.
Father, may we encourage one another and continue to call each other to their highest good, that we may all live with you eternally. Amen.
Nicely put…. Sometimes Gus we forget we are the messenger for God to display, teach, pray, sharing his messenger with others!
Maggie
Needed that.