August 26, 2009

Looking Ahead to August 30, 2009 -- 13th Sunday After Pentecost

The Scripture Readings this week are:
  • Song of Solomon 2:8-13
  • Psalm 45 (VU p.769)
  • James 1:17-27
  • Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
The Hymns this week are:
  • #333 Love Divine All Love’s Excelling
  • #227 For the Fruit of All Creation
  • #509 I the Lord of Sea and Sky
  • #646 We Are Marching in the Light of God (sung twice)
The Sermon Title is Mirror Mirror On the Wall…

Early Thoughts: Many years ago the late Michael Jackson talked about looking at the man in the mirror. "I'm asking him to change his way" Jackson said. This passage from James reminded me of that song.

What do we see (or should that be who do we see) when we look in the mirror? Do we see someone trying his or her best to live ethical, "pure" lives? Or do we see someone just getting along as best she/he can? OR do we see someone looking out solely for him/herself and her/his friends/family? OR do we see someone who doesn't really know where he/she falls in that spectrum?

James and Jesus encourage us to be, as James puts it, doers of the Word. As people of faith, we are encouraged to live in a different way, to live by different rules than the culture around us.

Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fairest, most ethical, purest, one of all?