Being Honest

 

Like yesterday, today, we are going to chew on a big bite out of the Sermon on the Mount.  Like yesterday, check in with yourself.  If it has been a hard week, you don’t need to push yourself, there is nothing to prove here.  This morning meditation is saved, and you can read this whenever and wherever you are ready.  If you in a place to dive in and dwell in God’s word, take a deep breath.  Take another, letting the oxygen of God sink and settle all the way down to your pinkie toes.  Now, slowly savor these words with me:

 

“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment, and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council, and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.  Matthew 5:21-26

 

Let’s start with the same questions as yesterday:

What questions do you have about the above words?

What insights do you have?

Where do you want Jesus to explain more because you are confused or curious?

Where are you bored by the words above (it’s okay to admit and accept that this passage didn’t warm your heart)?

Where do the words above feel like truth and where do you resist what Jesus is saying?

 

Now, let’s go a step further, who are you angry with?  Come on, we all carry around a list of people who have stepped on our toes and poured salt into our woundedness.  Who have you called a “fool” …again I have a list!  One note, the phrase, ‘the hell of fire’ might refer to Gehenna ~ a garbage dump in Jesus’ day…while others say that there was no burning heap of trash.  Regardless, there are times in all our lives when things are going to hell in a handbasket, when life is less than perfect or polished.  Hell is not just about what happens when we breathe our last, it is one condition and location of life on earth for many people emotionally or financially or relationally.   There are people who are afraid of hell and people who have and are living through hell.  To be sure, when I am angry with someone there is a loathing that feeds and fuels my life.  Honestly, I keep adding logs to that fire.  I keep finding reasons for why that person annoys me.  It is a living hell to find ourselves residing in a world of constant criticism and yelling and calling each other names…which is why many of us feel so worn down, weary, and burned out today.  Hold this.  Let this be a balm (not salt or judgement or adding ‘shoulds’ to earn God’s love ~ which we can’t) to your broken open life.  Is there someone you need to forgive?  Maybe not to their face, but let go of a bit of the anger today?  Just a pinch of anger?  Hold this.  As always, if you want to talk, because the Bible awakens and alerts us to strong emotions, we need to process with others, I am here.  May God’s love, which is big enough and bold enough, to hold our whole lives, even the tarnished and tattered part, be with you. Amen.