Let's settle the matter of what issues are most on the heart of Jesus right now... he makes this easy for us because he was good enough to tell us:
"Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices- mint, dull, and cummin. But you have neglected the MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS of the law- JUSTICE, MERCY, and FAITHFULNESS. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."
"Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices- mint, dull, and cummin. But you have neglected the MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS of the law- JUSTICE, MERCY, and FAITHFULNESS. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."
Right before that he says that all the commandments can be summed up in Love God with everything you've got and then Love your Neighbor as Yourself.
So love the poor as yourself. Do you need healthcare? So do they. Love the Muslim as yourself. Do you want your kids to be safe here? So do they. Would you like it for someone to take one sin in your life & then define you by it and enact legislation punishing you for it? Well stop doing it to gays.
It's great to tithe & give to missions. But Jesus says it's more important to actively correct the wrongs in the world. That's justice. Give mercy. Let people off the hook! Are they poor because they're lazy? Are they addicts? Mercy triumphs over judgment. Help them anyway!
Jesus was accused of being a partier & a glutton because of his close association with the tax collectors & prostitutes. He says these welfare mommas are going to enter the kingdom before you because the LEAST in the kingdom are greatest. The LAST will be first.
There is your gospel lesson for today little children.
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