2 June 2018 - knowing who we are

Today's Readings (Audio)

Jesus doesn't waste time with people trying to trip him up.

Then Jesus said to them,
"Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things."

The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders only ask their question to ensnare Jesus. They want to trick him into saying something he should not say. Because Jesus has nothing to prove to them he doesn't fall for it. If there was even a little pride or a little insecurity it would be hard for Jesus not to back up the authority by which he does what he does with an answer. It is different for genuine seekers of truth. Jesus will always answer them for their own sakes. But Jesus is to assured of who he is in the Father's love to need to bother with people who don't really care to hear his answer. This is a lesson for us.

Keep yourselves in the love of God
and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
that leads to eternal life.

If we learn to go through our lives aware of how much God loves us we won't waste our time as prisoners to the judgments of others. We will be concerned with pleasing God rather than men. We will have, if anything, a deeper concern for others because it is not a mask we where for our self-image.

On those who waver, have mercy; 
save others by snatching them out of the fire;
on others have mercy with fear,
abhorring even the outer garment stained by the flesh.

We must build ourselves up in our most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. This is how we keep ourselves in the love of God. This is how we avoid the wickedness and snares of the devil.

To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling
and to present you unblemished and exultant,
in the presence of his glory,
to the only God, our savior,
through Jesus Christ our Lord
be glory, majesty, power, and authority
from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen.

Let us taste and see how good the love of God can be. Let us learn to thirst for it with all that we are, realizing how desperately we need his presence throughout each day of our lives.

O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts 
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.