Today’s Readings: Psalm 133; Leviticus 8:1-13,30-36; Luke 20:1-8; Philippians 2:14-18; Psalm 110
There’s a common theme that runs through a couple of today’s readings; that theme is harmony. Psalm 133 opens by saying “How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!” while today’s passage from Philippians advises us to “do everything readily and cheerfully – no bickering, no second-guessing allowed!” If the message that runs through both the Old and New Testaments is so consistent, then why do we have such a difficult time living into the spirit of those words? I suppose a part of the reason has to do with the larger cultural values that exist around us. In our modern American culture, the individual is seen as THE most important unit within society. Anyone that inhibits the rights of the individual in any way, shape, or form is instantly seen as the enemy and is therefore open to attack. It’s easy for us modern folks to forget that as Christians the individual does not come first. As members of the body of Christ, we should be intimately connected to God and to one another. That’s why today’s theme of harmony is so important. So how do you get along with others? Do you get along with your sisters and brothers and exhibit a cheerful willingness to help others out; or are your personal relationships strained and your life full of bickering and second-guessing? How you answer that question will be helpful in revealing whose values are shaping your life: society’s or God’s. Til next time…
There’s a common theme that runs through a couple of today’s readings; that theme is harmony. Psalm 133 opens by saying “How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!” while today’s passage from Philippians advises us to “do everything readily and cheerfully – no bickering, no second-guessing allowed!” If the message that runs through both the Old and New Testaments is so consistent, then why do we have such a difficult time living into the spirit of those words? I suppose a part of the reason has to do with the larger cultural values that exist around us. In our modern American culture, the individual is seen as THE most important unit within society. Anyone that inhibits the rights of the individual in any way, shape, or form is instantly seen as the enemy and is therefore open to attack. It’s easy for us modern folks to forget that as Christians the individual does not come first. As members of the body of Christ, we should be intimately connected to God and to one another. That’s why today’s theme of harmony is so important. So how do you get along with others? Do you get along with your sisters and brothers and exhibit a cheerful willingness to help others out; or are your personal relationships strained and your life full of bickering and second-guessing? How you answer that question will be helpful in revealing whose values are shaping your life: society’s or God’s. Til next time…
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