Epiphany

February 16, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 5:21-37

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. –Matthew 5:27-32

Police yourself not everyone else. Our sins against God are not lessened by comparing ourselves to someone else we deem more sinful. God loves all of God’s children and understands each of us completely. We have only a glimmer of understanding of why another person behaves the way they do.

I remember laughing when comedian Redd Foxx would cover his “misdeeds” by saying the devil made me do it implying that he had no control over his behavior. Truth is we control our choices. We allow what starts as a routine act to grow into an out-of-control temptation. I realized years ago when I got busy and stressed in my work, instead of eating a salad I brought from home for lunch, I would start driving through fast food restaurants and grab a healthy sandwich to eat on my way to my next meeting. As my busyness and stress continued my orders suddenly grew till, I was routinely ordering a double cheeseburger with fries and driving distracted without even tasting my food. Self-examination and self-understanding are key to curbing bad behavior and we do that best as a spiritual discipline asking God who knows us best to help us see ourselves and make good choices. Another TV comedian, Barney Fife, provided the antidote to out-of-control behavior, “Just nip it in the bud”.

Prayer: Forgive me Lord when I allow my choices to be ruled by things other than what is best for me, others, or for my work in serving you. Thank you for your guidance and love in teaching me how to make better choices. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.