Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 50; Isaiah 1:10-20; Matthew 24:29-35; Romans 13:1-7; Psalm 15
Each Christmas season it is easy to get so caught up in your “to do” lists that you never stop to think about what you are doing. Instead, if you’re like me, you become so focused on the next item on our “to do” list that the holiday seems to be over before you know what hit you. This morning’s passage reminds us about the important of taking the time to slow down and spiritually think about what you are doing before you do it. Isaiah 1:11 (NIV) cries out to us: “’The multitude of your sacrifices – what are they to me?’ says the Lord. ‘I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.’” Here, God reminds us that it is not just the practice of ritual that matters most (i.e. the next item on our spiritual “to do” list), but rather the heart that lies behind those actions. This Advent season I invite you to examine your “to do” list with new eyes. Is there someone on your list, for instance, who might benefit more from some relationship-building time and truth-sharing than yet another scarf or tie for their collection? If there is, slow down and tend to the heart of the matter. In doing so you will honor the coming of the Christ-child in new and transformative ways. Til next time…
Each Christmas season it is easy to get so caught up in your “to do” lists that you never stop to think about what you are doing. Instead, if you’re like me, you become so focused on the next item on our “to do” list that the holiday seems to be over before you know what hit you. This morning’s passage reminds us about the important of taking the time to slow down and spiritually think about what you are doing before you do it. Isaiah 1:11 (NIV) cries out to us: “’The multitude of your sacrifices – what are they to me?’ says the Lord. ‘I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.’” Here, God reminds us that it is not just the practice of ritual that matters most (i.e. the next item on our spiritual “to do” list), but rather the heart that lies behind those actions. This Advent season I invite you to examine your “to do” list with new eyes. Is there someone on your list, for instance, who might benefit more from some relationship-building time and truth-sharing than yet another scarf or tie for their collection? If there is, slow down and tend to the heart of the matter. In doing so you will honor the coming of the Christ-child in new and transformative ways. Til next time…
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