It doesn’t it feel like every few weeks we look at the way we’ve been living and we make some promise to ourselves that we’re going to quit eating so bad, or maybe we’re gonna exercise more. I know for me, candy is a struggle. I’ll make some big proclamation to my family and friends that from now on I’m gonna be healthy starting tomorrow.
Well, maybe after that wedding on Friday. It is shocking how quickly we can change from determination to convincing ourselves that this time it’s okay, but next time it’ll be different. Jesus told a story about three men who were invited to a King’s wedding banquet. All three of the men declined and had excuses as to why they couldn’t go.
The first man told the king that he wanted to go see a field that he had just purchased. This sounds a little fishy. I mean, who buys property without seeing it first? The second guy said he wanted to work with the ox. He had just purchased. I mean, this ox was not going anywhere. This could have waited, and the third man said he had just gotten married.
Not a strong excuse, but at least this was plausible. But this is what Jesus said of the three men. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. All had been invited, but they refused to come. It’s so easy to become complacent and miss the opportunities that we are given today.
I’m thankful for a God that loves us enough to continue to invite us to his table, even if most of the time we don’t have the good sense. To take him up on it. You’ve been listening to Everyday Miracles by Hope, mindfulness and Prayer.
In the year 1818, a 26-year-old Catholic priest by the name of Joseph Moore was preparing for the Christmas Eve service at his church in the Austrian Alps. And while cleaning up the church in preparation, he found out that his organ had broken. This was not good. I mean, here’s this young guy that is probably new to this church.
If you’ve ever gone through art history class, you’re probably familiar with a painting called The Light of the World. It was painted by the British artist Holman Hunt, and hangs in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. It’s one of the most iconic religious paintings in history. The painting depicts Jesus standing outside of a small, dilapidated cottage.
I was recently listening to the U2 album, all that you Can’t Leave Behind, and I came across a song called Grace. The lyrics say this, grace takes the blame, covers the shame, removes the stain, but once was hurt, but once was friction. What left a mark? No longer stings because grace makes beauty out of ugly things.
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