SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 1, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ –

How many times have you been told, "Do as I say, not as I do"? This phrase is somehow embedded in our psyche, but I don't really recall ever having been told that or saying that to my children or anyone else for that matter. Nor do I remember really hearing anyone else say that. Can that be true? I think so. And as I think about it, it's one more thing that has seems to have a bigger presence than reality. And it's really one of the least useful statements I can imagine.

We find Jesus concluding his teaching ministry with this lengthy discourse at the end of Matthew; similar in length to the Sermon on the Mount. Whereas the Sermon on the Mount began with the Beatitudes (a series of blessings), here he begins by denouncing the scribes and Pharisees. And just as he concludes a lengthy set of conflicts with the religious elite he turns to address the crowds and his disciples and... continues his attack.

And what is he saying? He’s telling the people to respect what those in authority are saying but by no means do what they do, or what they don’t do. They don’t practice what they preach.

We have a week coming up where we’ll help determine the future of our nation. Jesus makes it clear – we have one father (creator God), one master (Jesus the Christ), and one commandment that must be obeyed – to love God’s created, even ourselves, as we are loved.

Last week Jeremiah reported that God would write on our hearts. I pray we read, listen to, take inspiration from and comfort in the radical message to be God’s conduit of justice and rightness for the dignity of all people- to uplift all people. It's not impossible together. We will do as we are told by Jesus. See you (or be seen by you) Sunday.

Best love in Christ –