Ordinary Time: Monday, September 21, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

2 Kings 5:1-19

What Naaman was told to do didn't make sense to him. Surely, he thought, there is another way other than this. This plan isn't what I'd do. This isn't the way I'd do it. There must be a mistake. That's the way it sometimes works with God's plan. God's plan doesn't always make sense the way we'd like for it to. God's plan doesn't always work the way we'd like. God's plan isn't what we would do.

But, Naaman did what the prophet said and he was made clean. He followed the plan set for and God brought a good end. Eventually, he trusted. And, God made a way. May we learn to trust. And, we when we learn to trust, we will find that the same God that made a way from Naaman is the same God that will make a way for us.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 4:8-21

Paul says one of the most bold things he ever said in scripture today. Be imitators of me. If you want to see what a Christian looks like, if you want to see a Christian life, be do what I do. Live like me. Follow the way that I live. What a bold statement. What an amazing statement. To tell others to live like me to see a Christian life.

Can we say that? Can we say to others, if you want to see what a Christian looks like, watch me? The truth is, whether we say it or not, others are watching. May we live in a such a way that glorifies God with all that we do.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:21-26

Jesus wants us to be right in our hearts with others (not hating them in our hearts) and with our lives (leaving our gifts at the alter and making things right). It's not an either/or thing. It's a both/and. God wants our hearts to be right with others and our lives. It does not good to have a "pure" life and evil heart, just as it's not right to have "pure" heart and be mean with our lives! May we see to love God, and love our neighbor, with both our heart and our life!