Are we ever perfect?

03Mar
Then addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, “The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say: but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens (of law and obligation) and lay them on men's shoulders, but will they lift a finger to help them (understand)? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries* and longer tassels, taking the place of honor at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.” 

“You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you only have one Master, and you’re all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ.” 

“The greatest among you must be your servant. Any who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.” 
-Matthew 23:1-12 

*phylacteries - small black boxes containing books of the Torah worn on the arm and the head to remind the wearer the actions of his hands and mind are guarded by scripture. 


When my children were little, a very mischievous bachelor cousin taught them the word “hypocrite.” He encouraged them to use it as often as they witnessed it. Whether it was a forgotten promise, a delayed outing or even a postponed playdate, they reared their (precious) heads and exclaimed their new favorite word (more often than I care to admit).  


When I think of practicing what we preach, I think of words like dependability, integrity, congruency and transparency. Say what we mean and mean what we say. It’s knowing what to do and doing it, without making excuses why we didn’t follow through.  


Well, that’s “easier said than done” you may say. If we reflect for a minute, do we want our words or actions repeated by our children? By friends, co-workers, classmates? How can we be more congruent? How can we better practice what we preach? A good start is to be careful with our words, choose them wisely. Someone was once asked, “Whats the strongest part of our bodies?” I will forever remember the answer - the tongue. It is sharper than forged steel. Jesus said,” It is not what goes into our mouths but what comes out, that defiles us.” People around us listen to what we say and watch what we do. If we are a people of Christ, our words and actions should reflect that relationship.  


Are we ever perfect? Do we always practice what we preach? I say no. But taking the time this Lent to examine our words and actions and the intention behind them is where the Christ we follow will find us.  


Musical Reflection - Leanna Crawford - Still Waters (Psalm 23)


Precious God our Father and Christ our Teacher, help us to see clearly the incongruence in our lives. Let our hubris be replaced with humility and our excuses replaced with action. Let us use our words and action to sow harmony in our relationships and in the world around us. Lift us up when we fail. Ever forgiving and ever loving God, walk with us this day and everyday. Amen.

hypocrisy

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