hypocrisy and integrity

Good morning sisters and brothers,
This morning's reading is somewhat disturbing, but it is a great reminder to live with integrity. Integrity is a word we hear often enough; probably 80% of us work for a company that has integrity somewhere in it's mission statement. To me the heart of integrity is saying and doing what we believe, and its opposite is hypocrisy. Jesus warns his disciples about the "leaven of the Pharisees" and says that in the future everyone's secrets will be made known. The accusation is that the Pharisees aren't practicing what they preach. In the same way, if we believe in Jesus, we should never be ashamed of that.

The other focus in the passage is the importance of the Holy Spirit. As we've talked about some in worship, this may be the most neglected person of the Trinity. We believe in the Holy Spirit, but we don't necessarily make a practice of listening for her guidance. God always surrounds us with love and the Spirit is always available to guide us in Christ's footsteps. That certainly comforts me when I don't know what to do. I hope it will comfort you the next time you feel in over your head.

Blessings,
Sam


Luke 12:1-12
Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered by the thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. 2Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 3Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.

4“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. 5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. 7But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

8“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; 9but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.”