Psalms 26, 28 * 36, 39; Job 12:1, 13:3-17,21-27; Acts 12:1-17; John 8:33-47Habits can bind us. Desires can try and control us. Things we want can possess us. Jesus is, in part, referring to these concepts when he says Very truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household, the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
Being a part of this movement Jesus is establishing means we have to realign our priorities, our desires, our focus. Much like the two saints we remember in Holy Women, Holy Men today: Aiden and Cuthbert. These two early evangelists, spreading the truth of Jesus to those in northern England in the Seventh Century, were focused on helping the less fortunate in their world.
We are pushed by Jesus today to think differently about our lives, our habits, desires and about those things we want, but do not need. We are reminded today that our focus should not be on those things but on the wider issues that are so easy to overlook and ignore. Who can we help today? Which poor person, which widow, which orphan, which person in distress, which sick person can we reach out to today and make a difference in their life? Where can we put our resources today that will help make the kingdom happen all around us through those efforts?
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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.
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