Tuesday 27 August 2024

Today is Tuesday the 27th of August, the feast of Saint Monica, in the 21st week of Ordinary Time. Liz Vice with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘We Believe in the Name’. Justice…A mighty fortress…power…strong deliverer…. As you listen, draw to mind your own name for the Lord today. We believe in the saving power In the saving power of the name His name is justice, a mighty fortress A balm for the weary, our refuge and our strength His name is power, our strong deliverer We believe in Jesus′ name We believe in the name We believe in the name We believe in the name We believe in the name We believe in the healing power In the healing power of the name We believe in the healing power In the healing power of the name His name is justice, a mighty fortress A balm for the weary, our refuge and our strength His name is power, our strong deliverer We believe in Jesus' name We believe in the name What′s his name? (Jesus) Say his name! (Jesus) What's his name? (Jesus) His name is justice, a mighty fortress A balm for the weary, our refuge and our strength His name is power, our strong deliverer We believe in Jesus′ name We believe in the name We believe in the name We believe in the name Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 23:23-26 ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practised without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean. Jesus’ words offer stark challenges to the religious leaders of his day and to us. His image of the gnat and the camel leaves no room for doubt – hypocrisy and neglect of justice and mercy are unacceptable to God. What does it feel like for you to be on the receiving end of such plain speaking from Jesus? People are often better at noticing and pointing out the faults of others than at being honestly aware of their own shortcomings. What kind of conversation might Jesus want to have if he were speaking directly to you? What would that feel like? As we hear Jesus’ words once more, allow them to touch into your own experience. Do you find yourself wanting to say something in response to Jesus’ words? Jesus champions justice, mercy and faith over strict religious observance. What would you want to say to God and to faith leaders about this? Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.