Image from dustoffthebible.com
Hear Here: http://bit.ly/31v054g
13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:13-20 NRSV)
Happy Tuesday, dear Friend. I know this arrives a day late, but what happened was... Nellie and I left Seguin on Saturday and spent the night in San Angelo, where at the gracious invitation of a dear friend and colleague, The Rev. Scott Bradford, I preached two services at First UMC. This was my first time in that awesome church, and Nellie and I were warmly received. Immediately after worship, we left for home where we had planned a family Super Bowl watch party. Long story short, we were double tired from the travel and the party. I thank you for your understanding. Prayers again for this old man as next Sunday I preach in Shiner, TX; then on the 16th of February, I preach at home in Gonzales FUMC.
I hope you read last night's prayer update as I shared the death of Ryder Purlee-Heather at St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis. Please continue to pray for his family and loved ones who prayed nonstop for his healing. I ask prayers for healing of our dear sister, Eva Boscamp of FUMC-Gonzales, who has had some serious health challenges which have left her in much pain and discomfort. Pray for her healing.
The theme and focus of my sermons has been on despair. Our country is living in days of despair. A recent major newspaper article called it the number one killer in the USA. Several factors contribute to it; economic realities and challenges, depression, the opioid epidemic, the high suicide rate, et al. And the scriptures from the Lectionary have served to remind us of the hope that God offers through Jesus. The Sermon on the Mount was the introduction to this new hope available in Jesus. And this week's gospel passage, which we read above, strengthens the hope.
Jesus begins talking about those hearing and believing this, are "the salt of the earth." Salt, Jesus knew that we should know as well, has its purposes; flavor, preservation, and insulation. We use salt to flavor our food in a positive way; the same way our lives should positively flavor life. Salt is the same as the positive outlook that we can share through our words and lives with others. Salt was used as a preservative on meat and other foods. Salt was also used in Jesus' day on the bottom of the ovens to more evenly spread the heat and thus help more thoroughly cook the food as well as speeding up the cooking process. Jesus also knew that if salt looses its saltiness, it was no longer good for anything. Old, used salt, would be thrown out into the streets and trampled by those walking on that street. We should ask ourselves, "Am I being salt in the way that I live."
Jesus then addresses light. Jesus says that believers in Him should be the light of the world. Light, as in that which can break through the darkness. As in the love we radiate from God that brings hope to those in despair. Jesus knows the power of light and mentioned several ways to destroy darkness (despair) and hopelessness. Jesus also then refers to the role of the law, with a key punctuation Jesus makes, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not abolish but to fulfill." And then Jesus addresses the need for believers to be righteous people, the kind whose righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees.
Quite the task for us, no? On the contrary, we are simply responding to what we accepted at our Confirmation, and for most of us, our parents at our baptism. To live a life that glorifies God and serves the needs of others.
PRAYER: Loving Father, we confess our need to be forgiven for that which we have taken for granted or otherwise ignored. Grant to us Your power and peace to serve You. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name. We pray for the family of Baby Ryder. Lord, we cannot understand fully the why behind his death, but we rejoice in the promises of Jesus of life beyond life. We pray healing and comfort for our sister, Eva Boscamp, along with all anywhere who suffer illness and distress. And Lord, help us be those who alongside You can battle despair. The Church, namely us, should help dispel the darkness and bring forth the light of hope. Hear our prayer that we lift not by our merits, but through He who paid it all, Jesus our Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Break despair with a loving smile for someone today.
Receive my blessings of peace and love,
Pastor Eradio
