Ordinary Time

February 20, 2023

Scripture Reading: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

Yet even now, says the Lord,
   return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
   rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
   for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
   and relents from punishing.
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
   and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain-offering and a drink-offering
   for the Lord, your God? –Joel 2:12-14

We really need to examine ourselves before we can make a difference in the lives of others. Jesus put it this way:

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye. –Matthew 7:5

I was raised in the church and did not know anything other than going to church on Sunday. When I was a young adult on my own, I started attending a church that was apparently amid a major meltdown. I watched and listened to the bickering and thought, look at these hypocrites, until one Sunday, I was struck by the recognition that the only person I knew for sure was a hypocrite sitting in that church that morning was me. I decided to take a vacation from church for a while. Some Sundays, I just slept in; on other Sundays, I visited various churches to see where I might fit. At times I went to brunch with friends who did not attend church.  I did this for a few months until I got my head on straight, realizing that I had as much responsibility as being the church at any congregation as anyone else in attendance. At the next church, I walked into, I felt at home and became very active while I lived in that area.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for putting up with my taking long paths to find your truths. 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.