Bishop Eric Menees
Last Sunday’s gospel reading (Luke 7:36-50), which the
English Standard Version of the Bible entitled: “A Sinful Woman Forgiven,”
tells the beautiful story of the woman in Simon the Pharisee’s home, who washed
Jesus’ feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and then anointed his
feet with costly ointment. This scripture demonstrates the response of a
grateful heart to the forgiving love of Jesus. The question from the gospel
lesson is, what does this message mean for us?
Well, as Christians, we need to address sin and the
consequences of sin, in our lives and in the lives of others, so that people
can come to a place of understanding their need for, and the benefit of,
Christ’s forgiveness. Admittedly this is very difficult, for several reasons:
We live in time and age that ignores sin and even celebrates
sin.
We live in a world that brands us as being intolerant if we
advance biblical morality.
We live in a climate that values false self-worth above all
else.
However, precisely because it is difficult to speak about
sin, this does not mean that we should not speak about sin:
In our own lives, we should be examining the ways in which
we fall short of God’s glory, and then repent.
In our families, we should lift up for our children, and
ourselves, a standard of behavior that is based on scripture, not on cultural
mores.
In our communities, we should be proclaiming the Glory of
God and His willingness to forgive our sins and wash us clean in His sacrifice!
What a great sadness that we live in a world ignorant of
sin, but living under the terrible consequences of sin. What a great sadness
that in ignoring sin, we deny people, and ourselves, the liberation found in
forgiveness. What a great sadness that in denying sin and the forgiveness found
in Jesus, we deny the Love and Grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Let us, this day, resolve to turn that around. As we come to
confession in church next Sunday, let us not white wash our sins but truly and
courageously offer them to the Lord. Let us truly hear, and receive, the words
of Absolution: “Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy has
promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true
faith turn to him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your
sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting
life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Let us come to this altar with clean hearts to receive the
Sacrament of Christ’s body and blood. And let us go forward into the world,
with grateful hearts full of love, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. And
to that I say… AMEN!
I pray you all a very blessed Lord’s Day!
Catechism Questions: 298-300
298.
How else do you love God in light of the Fifth Commandment?
I keep the Fifth Commandment in love
to God by showing respect for the aged; submitting to my teachers, pastors, and
directors; respecting tradition and civil authority; and ordering myself in
reverent humility, as is fitting for a servant and child of God. (Matthew
22:15-22; Romans 13; Colossians 3:18-4:1; 1 Tim 6:1-2; Hebrews 13:7,17;
Articles of Religion, 37)
299.
Will such an attitude of honor come to you naturally?
No. “Folly is bound up in the heart
of a child” (Proverbs 22:15). From my earliest days, led and driven by sin, I
persistently attempt to rule myself.
300.
Does earthly authority have limits?
Yes. All authority comes from God,
who is the King of kings and expects me to love, honor, and obey him rather
than others if they command me to sin. (Exodus 1:17; Daniel 1:8-16; 3:16-18;
Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-5; Colossians 4:1; 1 Peter 2:14-15)
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