Blog Posts containing "Pentecost XXIII"

The story is a simple one. Two men are in the Temple for prayers, one a Pharisee and the other a Tax collector. The Pharisee prays to himself about how faithful he is. He is not at all like the tax collector. The tax collector merely prays, “Lord have mercy upon me a sinner.” He leaves justified and the other not. The Pharisee is not much different than some in America. They see themselves as religious people. They are rich enough to follow all the laws. However, they do all they can to legalistically not follow the laws. They hate paying taxes and they see themselves as patriots. They are not thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like the tax collecting traitor.  Read more

Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost: If legalism fails, read the grace directions. Think Legalism: “Come” means to move from one place to another. Feel Grace: “Come” means to move from not feeling to feeling.   Read more