Matthew 23:13-22
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.' Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, 'If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.' You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it."
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for those who are dealing with an abortion of their child, that they may turn to God for healing.
Are you living your life the way you want to live it? Are you living you life the way you think God wants you to live it?
Am I? I'm sure you know the answer.
There are so many things that consume me throughout the day, from paying bills to working on relationships with family and friends. It's truly overwhelming, and at times, it becomes a distraction to how I want to live my life.
As I read through today's reading, the way the scribes and Pharisees prescribe to others seem like a "distraction." After all, it's easy to point out the faults in others versus looking at yourself. It's easy to tell people about the life they should be living versus trying to live it yourself.
The life I want to live is the life Christ shows us throughout the Gospels. I have been thrown many distractions by the adversary, but those distractions make me want to work harder at getting to know Christ, and even more so, know myself (which is something I struggle with).
Lord Jesus, show me Your ways, that I may be able to show others Your goodness through my example. Lord, I pray that when the see me, they see You first.
Take care and God Bless.
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