ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
September 16, 2021
In Matthew 9:4, Jesus, after perceiving the thoughts of some of the religious leaders of the day, asked the question: “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could perceive people’s thoughts and know their hearts? Of course, if we could gain this internal insight of others, they would be able to see the same within us. Suddenly, I am a bit more hesitant of wanting this kind of spiritual intuition. Even when we do the right thing, our thoughts and intentions might not mirror the rightness of our actions. Of course, in this specific situation, Jesus was being confronted by those who were seeking to sound all righteous and good, but not do the right and good thing. I don’t want to beat them up too much as I think we’ve all been there. It makes me wonder if I have ever spread a thick coat of religious BS over an excuse in hopes that no one would questioned the excuse. And in the end, did I sort of believe it myself? Through the Holy Spirit, I think Jesus continues to perceive our thoughts and know our hearts, and it often manifests itself in an uneasiness or a heaviness in the spirit. Though I do not believe Jesus is wanting us to wallow in guilt, an acknowledgment of where our head and heart reside is important as we seek to manifest the Love First Life (1st John 4:19).
May my thoughts, words and actions find harmony. Though I struggle to bring my whole-self into every moment and situation of life, Merciful God, I seek the unifying gift of your Spirit in the work I do. Amen.
