Today's Gospel reading from Matthew 23 busts the myth that Jesus was just (and always) a nice guy. Today He refers to the scribes and Pharisees as "hypocrites...blind guides...blind fools...blind ones." The truth must be spoken in no uncertain terms.
Which brings me to today's first reading. We read the opening passages of 1 Thessalonians. St. Paul commends the believers in Thessalonica, saying, "...how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to await his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath."
The pagans of the time had plenty of idols. They were pantheistic, worshiping false gods and inanimate objects. Sounds silly, doesn't it? But is it? St. Paul reminds us that it is Jesus who will save us from the coming wrath. But I think lots of people today are putting their hope in many other things to save them - vaccines, bureaucrats, politicians, churchmen - the list goes on. Not a single one of them will deliver you. They are idols, and they demand your fealty. Only Jesus can deliver you. Be prudent, of course. But don't put your trust in princes. Put all your trust in Jesus.
Father, we see the coming wrath. May we put all our trust in Jesus to deliver us. Amen.
Praying for you and Michelle! Hope all is well and God bless you for speaking truth!
I.I’m glad you are back. However, please support the vaccines that save our physical bodies until we are called home.
Nice to have you back.
Thank you Lord and Savior for removing the illness from their bodies, restoring their health, and making them strong again.
Amen.