Ordinary Time: Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

Lamentations 2:8-15

Sometimes in life, things happen that are so tragic that all you can do is weep. You may know in your mind that God is at work and He will bring something good out of it, but in the midst of the storm, all you can do is weep. We see the Prophet look at his destroyed city today, and all he can do is weep. He knows what has caused this, and we will later see that he does have hope for redemption. But, at that point, all he can do is cry.

Sometimes life kicks us good, and we can merely just weep. When that happens, may we know that our God holds us in His arms.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 15:51-58

This passage is part of the liturgy for a United Methodist service of committal, and each time I say it at a graveside, it gives me great hope. This body must be changed to enter into eternity. This life must be changed to enter into forever. We must pass through the Jordan, and we will come out the other side transformed. But, in a good way. For when we pass through the Jordan, and enter into true life, we can then say, where oh death, is thy sting.

Remember, what we see here and now is not the end of reality. There is a life far grander and far more real that we have not seen, but through Christ, we will know.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 12:1-14

We see Jesus today call out the people because they were more concerned with keeping the letter of the law instead of the spirit of the law. The Lord wanted broken and contrite hearts, He wanted mercy. He was not as concerned with people following a checklist. He wants us to love Him. To love each other. To serve Him. And to serve each other. If we do this, we will satisfy every demand made of us. If we love. If we trust. If we live in grace. Today, let us not be so concerned with checking things off a list as we are about living and loving and serving. If love God and love neighbor. We will be the people that God needs us to be.