Candle Lighting: Come, Lord Jesus.
Opening Prayer:
Stir up our hearts, Lord God
To prepare the way of your only Son
By his coming, nurture our growth
As a people of repentance and peace.
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew - 12:33-37
33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
‘And by these words you utter, you will be justified or condemned,’ says Jesus. He’s speaking to the Pharisees, of course, who pose as the pious. “How can you speak good things when you are evil?” he wants to know. Jesus makes clear that by their own words – words that they have wielded like weapons – they will be judged.
Jesus also says to us, especially in this season of joy..be careful what you say! But take care also to listen. For Jesus has spoken of pardon, of mercy, of forgiveness and of love. It is that final word, “Love,” that reveals to us who God is on the inside. And we thank our merciful God for his Son Jesus who died on the cross that our sins – our thoughts, words and deeds - might be forgiven.
Dear Lord,
We acknowledge that we are sinners and ask daily for your forgiveness as we forgive others. Your good news is one of salvation and atonement for our sins. Thank you Lord Jesus for your everlasting love! Amen
Called as God's people;
Equipped by the Holy Spirit;
Sent to boldly proclaim the love of Jesus Christ to all people
Thanks to: The Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, ELCA
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