This week we're talking about forgiveness, one of the most important parts of our Christian faith. In today's reading Jesus teaches that God values honest humility more than religious devotion with the wrong attitude. The point of the church is to help us grow in faith and witness to that faith together through welcome and service. Religious life isn't about impressing God; it's about living out our gratitude. This is one of my favorite short stories from Jesus about what really counts.
God bless,
Sam
Luke 18:9-14
9He also told this parable to some who trusted in
themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10“Two
men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax
collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus,
‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers,
or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a
tenth of all my income.’
13But the tax collector, standing far off,
would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God,
be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to
his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be
humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
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