Epiphany
February 5, 2017
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-20
‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. –Matthew 5:17-20
Remember your mother saying, “How many times do I have to say this to you?” Children test everything as they learn and grow. Adults do too. It is amazing how often the prophets over hundreds of years, said the same thing repeatedly because it was not what the audience wanted to hear. Jesus is saying that in the scripture above. His message was not new and people do not change readily.
What is right? What is just? I remember in classes being presented with moral problems and debating things like who do you save from a burning building or sinking ship. Upper class women and children were the first saved when the Titanic went down. More people in the third-class section were lost. Perhaps these deaths were the result of where they were located on the ship but does having enough money to afford a better placement equal justice?
Think of a time when you realized that something you had believed was just wrong and you stopped believing it and changed your behavior accordingly. How hard was it to change? What helped you to develop new habits and what hindered your changing? What do you do now that you know deep in your heart is wrong? Are you willing to take a chance and change?
Prayer: God of Justice and Mercy enable me to see your justice and to do it. Amen.