1st READING
What is being proclaimed to the sinners of Sodom and Gomorrah? It is the truth! The truth is the answer to the world’s problems. Questions of morality, economics, politics and so on are all answered with it. The problem today is that we live in a world where relativism holds sway and this is not a good environment for the truth to prosper. Christians need to change the environment by living and proclaiming the truth at every opportunity.
Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
10 Hear the word of the Lord, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah! 16 Wash yourselves clean! Put away misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; 17 learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. 18 Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. 19 If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; 20 but if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you for the mouth of the Lord has spoken!
P S A L M
Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23
R: To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
8 “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offerings are before me always. 9 I take from your house no bullock, no goats out of your fold.” (R) 16 “Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, 17 though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” (R) 21 “When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes. 23 He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” (R)
GOSPEL
Perhaps a starting point for beginning to reclaim the role of truth in the world of politics, economics, and so on, is to provide good pastoral care to the people who are willing to be disciples of Jesus. The prophet Haggai laments that the vision for the life of an Israelite is not placed before the people. The same is true today. We fight all the peripheral issues but we do not address them from the perspective of the only thing that matters in this regard, which is the truth.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
Matthew 23:1-12
1 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5 All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, 7 greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8 As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
2 & 3 John and Jude
LIST
think: Christians need to change the environment by living and proclaiming the truth at every opportunity.
T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 & 3 John and Jude
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