Monday 27th August, 2012
St Monica. 2 Thessalonians 1:1–5, 11–12. Proclaim his marvellous deeds to all the nations—Ps 95(96):1–5. Matthew 23:13–22.

  
Meditation: mp3 | podcast
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If I act like those Pharisees, Lord Jesus, please forgive me.

Sometimes we can get so caught up in defending the pronouncements and workings of the church that we lose sight of the love you have given it and of you who are its only source and strength. Have mercy, Lord, when I get things out of perspective.

And it is difficult to sort out the sinfulness in my life from that which is just part of being human. That difficulty is what comes, of course, from not being God. Those Pharisees thought that they had proprietary rights over God, that they owned God. But you, Lord, are the only holy one of God. So let me not react out of fear, like a threatened Pharisee. Lord, let me act out of love for you.