Gospel  Luke 14:15-24 One of those at table with Jesus said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God." He replied to him, "A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, 'Come, everything is now ready.' But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, 'I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.' And another said, 'I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.' And another said, 'I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.' The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.' The servant reported, 'Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.' The master then ordered the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.’” Reflection It's interesting to see the reaction in the one who is offering this dinner party to his friends and how angry he was, how filled with rage. And it just underscores the longing, the desire that God has to reach us, to help us in all those areas where we're not really seeing, we're blind, we're not able to do the work. We're crippled or lame. He wants us to be fed and nourished. And when he sees these people being tied up with ordinary things, I have to have a place to live, so I'm looking into that. I have to start a business, I'm buying some cattle. I'm married so he can come. It's always just a simple excuse. And how many times do we do that? How many times do we not follow an intuition, a sense that God is asking us not so much to do something, but to come and feast with him? Feast in the goodness and the fullness and the healing power of the Kingdom of God. Closing Prayer Father, help us to know you, to know your longing, to know your desire, your passion for us. You don't want to lose any of us. You want us to experience the very thing that makes the difference between a life that is full and a life that is empty. Help us in our choices. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 14:12-14 On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Reflection A banquet is a meal of great abundance. And it's an image of the kingdom of God that we are being called into. And what he is noting in this particular passage about the Pharisees is that they have a way of never being separated from their need for using people, needing something from people. And that's the life they were leading. And everything about the banquet is, it’s an abundance of great food and great wine offered to those who recognize their poverty, their brokenness, their need. The Pharisees and scribes are far from the kingdom of God, and Jesus is trying to make it clear to all of us their mistake. Closing Prayer Father, bless us with an awareness of your goodness, your desire for us to be fed and nourished. Awaken in all of us our poverty, our longing for the most marvelous gift that you offer us. Your presence, your understanding, your compassion. It is truly what feeds the world and brings it closer to you. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Originally aired on November 2, 2014. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Matthew 5:1-12a When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." Reflection Jesus giving his disciples a list of what he would call blessings, things that come from the love of God for us. And it's interesting because they are not always things that we would want, but they are the things that we need. And so what Jesus is trying to describe is living in the kingdom of God is not living in a place of judgment and condemnation of what's going on in ourselves or the world, as much as it is searching for what is valuable in everything. The good things, the difficult things, the bad things, we are blessed because God is with us. The Holy Spirit inspires us for both enjoying all that we are given and accepting all the pain that is part of that process. Closing Prayer Father, awaken us to a disposition of acceptance, even curiosity, and wonder about all the things happening around us, both positive and negative. Help us to have a conviction that you are in charge and that nothing, nothing will keep us from your kingdom. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 14:1-6 On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, "Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?" But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them "Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?" But they were unable to answer his question. Reflection Father, there's a way in which when we're following regulations and rules, we feel confident, confident that we're doing everything that you've asked us to do. But in fact, it is not the heart of the gospel. It is not the heart of the good news. The heart of the good news is a way that we are touched so deeply by an awareness of where we haven't been that we’re shown so clearly where we need to be. And it's the transition that's so important. Closing Prayer Father, bless us with an openness to seeing our own faults, our own weaknesses. Help us not to fall into shame, or disappointment, or self condemnation, but rather simply to long for the gift that enables us to do the work. It's not our work, it's yours and ours. Help us to remember this. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 13:31-35 Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.' "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Reflection The most likely reason that Jesus says he must be killed in Jerusalem is the fact that Jerusalem was the place of most of the resistance to any of the messages of the prophets. So it was there between the temple and a prophetic voice, that this story unfolds in a very unfortunate way. They continue to resist the truth. And what is so touching about this passage is the way in which the truth is that God, through Jesus, has always longed to gather the children of Israel into a family, into a place of intimacy with him. And they've always refused. And today they still refuse. Closing Prayer Father, you ask us through the Holy Spirit's power to face so many things within us that we really don't want to look at. We don't want to face. Bless us with openness to your prophetic word, to your truth, so that we can feel the fruits of what it means to be cared for by you, loved by you, forgiven by you. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 13:22-30 Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them,  “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Reflection There's something clear in this passage that Jesus is very intently on trying to get people to understand. He talks about it in the norm of how you receive the gifts of life with God after death, and the image is clear. Many people think it's one way, when in truth, it's really a very different way and a more difficult way. The narrow gate, and what is the narrow gate? Understanding that the work of God in the world, in the person of Jesus, is all about conversion, transformation, a change of heart. Many of the scribes and Pharisees would not consider that to be something important, but only that they belong to the right group. That they belong to the temple, and therefore they are sure that they will have a place with God. It's not about what religion we belong to. It's about how intimate we have become with the transforming spirit. It is our inheritance. Closing Prayer Father, awaken us always to the real task that you have given to us. One that is not given without our need to be a part of the process, we need to go through a death and resurrection. We need to do what you taught us how to do, so that we can become the people you call us to be. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel  Luke 6:12-16 Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. Reflection There's an interesting way in which we need to understand the distinction between a disciple and an apostle. Disciple is a word that means a learner, someone who's constantly growing and changing. And an apostle is one who has been especially empowered and then sent forth to do a task. What is interesting about the two is that they really are one. We are always learners. We are always open to new insights and new ways of seeing the mystery of who you are in us. And then we also know that you empower us. You send us forth to do things. Nothing is more important than we embrace both these roles as we continue to grow and establish your Kingdom. Closing Prayer Father, bless us with the awareness of we never, ever are finished in our work with you. We are always open to new insights, changes. And then we're also so blessed to have your power, strength flowing through us as the Holy Spirit engages us in ways to establish the Kingdom. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 13:10-17 Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, "Woman, you are set free of your infirmity." He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, "There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day." The Lord said to him in reply, "Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?" When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him. Reflection What really strikes me about this particular passage is the way in which the woman, who is burdened by the power of sin, was bent over, unable to stand erect. It's a beautiful image of the way in which Jesus is trying to describe to all of us that there was a burden on people before Jesus died and rose, a burden of evil that had stronger power over them. And once Jesus died on the cross that power was limited. Cut way back. And so Jesus is so anxious for people to understand what he's about to give to them. And so frustrated by those who resisted, who claimed it can't happen. Closing Prayer Father, awaken us to the gifts that you have won for us, especially the power we have over those things that would rob us of life. You died for us. You gave up your life so we might have a fuller life here with you. Bless us with that awareness. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Originally aired on October 23, 2016, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 13:1-9 Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply,  “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way  they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed  when the tower at Siloam fell on them— do you think they were more guilty  than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” And he told them this parable:  “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,  and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree      but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also,  and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;  it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” Reflection Jesus makes clear that there is a work that we have to do. He's not saying that we can judge the world and how God is working in the world, and why some things happen, and some people have different kind of the lives that we do. But he wants us to get back to something so basic. You are on this planet to grow and to evolve and to change. To be transformed by his grace. And he says, if you don't do that, you will be destroyed by pride, greed, power over people. He doesn't want that to happen, but in telling people unless they change, they will be destroyed. He adds this wonderful disposition that he will never give up on us and he will continue to dig around us. Soil, fertilize us, water us, and pray and continue to work for our transformation. He is a loving God. When he warns us that we might be destroyed, he is there to do everything he can to make sure that doesn't happen. Closing Prayer Father, as we examine ourselves as we looked at our life and our choices, it's so important for us to see where we're off, where we're not functioning as God wants us to. Make us aware of our sinfulness. At the same time, bless us with his patience. His love, his continual forgiveness, and his nurturing Holy Spirit. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 12:54-59 Jesus said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? "Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” Reflection When Jesus is talking to the crowds, he's warning them simply to recognize something that they do naturally. They look at what's happening in the sky and figure out what the weather's going to be. But they don't really yet know what the kingdom of God is like, and how different it is from what they've been used to. They've lived under the law. And the law when one is guilty does nothing other than punish. But Jesus giving a new law and he's saying, what I want you to understand is that there's a way to settle things without using the law and punishment, but simply using a new law. The law of love, the law of understanding, the law of forgiveness. That's the challenge. Closing Prayer Father, in all of our relationships we fall into the trap of sometimes demanding or seeking, did someone pay for what they've done to us? In a way that hasn't anything to do with money, but just they owe us something. Give us a heart that is forgiving, the heart of Christ. Where we’re not interested in punishment, but in transformation. And we ask this in Jesus;’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 12:49-53 Jesus said to his disciples: "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Reflection It is interesting to me that the Gospels are usually giving you a clear insight into the disposition of Jesus when he's giving a particular message. And here he's very frustrated that the thing that he wants so badly to ignite in people's hearts is the fire of the Holy Spirit, the presence of God with him. And he gets very, very frustrated when he doesn't see people understanding it. So what he says clearly is for those few who will understand it, recognize the fact that you will not be welcomed and accepted by those who still follow the ways of the temple, and that will be the majority of people. He tells us all, you will be in the minority when you are speaking my message to the masses of people that don't even begin to fathom what it's about. Do not lose heart. Keep saying what you believe, knowing what you believe in living it is key, and that's the fire that Jesus wants to establish in you. Closing Prayer Father, open us to this transforming fire that purifies things in us that we continue to hang on to as we open our hearts to the fullness of your message. We are always in the process of growing and changing. We're never finished. So keep that flame of faith in our hearts as we continue our journey toward wholeness. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 12:39-48 Jesus said to his disciples: "Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." Then Peter said, "Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant's master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master's will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” Reflection Jesus continues the image of being alert, being attentive. And when he makes that statement, then Peter steps in and says, are you talking about us? Or are you talking about everyone? And then Jesus lets him know. No, I'm talking about you, Peter. About you as the head of the church, about every minister who stands up and speaks my word to people. I want you to know that you must be a servant. Never someone who gets intoxicated with power and then gets drunk with power and becomes an obstacle to people finding the message that God has given you to proclaim to a longing, hungry world. You will be held accountable. Closing Prayer Father, anyone who stands before others and claims to proclaim the truth that you have shared with us. Bless them that they may be open to what it is at the heart of your message that is so important and also free them from the dangers of having power, control over people. Help them only to preach your message of love. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel  Luke 12:35-38 Jesus said to his disciples: "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.” Reflection Whenever a wedding is used as an image in Scripture, it makes reference to God's union with our humanity. He wants to marry us. He wants to be a part of us. He wants to make a vow with us, it will take care of one another. And here we see Jesus talking about being open and vigilant for this great message of union with God. And then he goes on to say that when he himself knows that you understand this, he is delighted and he does something so unusual. He, the master, takes care of and ministers to his servants. What a beautiful image of God's relationship with us. God taking care of us because we are open and receptive. Closing Prayer Father, bless us with an awareness of all that you long to say to us. Give us time. Quiet, restful time when we can simply listen to you and understand that you are there to serve us. It is beyond our imagining, but you are the God of service. Help us to live in that. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 12:13-21 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me." He replied to him, "Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?" Then he said to the crowd, "Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions." Then he told them a parable. "There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, 'What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?' And he said, 'This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, "Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!"' But God said to him, 'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?' Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.” Reflection When I discovered the meaning of the word possessions, it doesn't mean simple ownership, it means having something that gives you a sense of your value, your worth. And greed is a way in which people get caught up in thinking the more they have, the greater they are. The more they can do, the greater they are. And Jesus is simply saying to them, look, when you die, you will stand before God. Not filled with your possessions, your bank account or anything, but just you. That's the work to become the you that God wants you to become. Closing Prayer Father, you ask so little in a sense of us, just to be who you made us to be. We need to accept the beauty of who we are and stand before you with all of our weaknesses and frailty. But no, it is us as you created us, that is the object of your love. Help us to always be true to ourselves. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Originally aired on October 20, 2013. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 10:1-9 The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’" Reflection The 72 represent the future church. Communities of people that have an understanding, a way of life that becomes attractive to other people and they want to know about it, and they need to learn about it. And what he's saying is there's healing power in my message, and I want you to share it. But what's so interesting, it's not like he sends out these 72 and he expects them to reach 50 homes a piece, or something. No, you go to one house, a house where someone there understands the peace that comes with the kingdom, and build on that person. It's like the kingdom of God spreads very naturally from one encounter to another, from one conversation to another. It's a beautiful image of the church and how it works. It's so organic and natural and nothing can stop it. Closing Prayer Father, open us always to the ways in which we can do the work that we are called to do. When we make it somehow too obvious or too intense, it doesn't work. It's something that flows from my heart to your heart, your heart to my heart in the relationships that we have. And that's where it all works. It's about love. It's about compassion. It's about understanding. And it’s not about judgment or condemnation. So bless us with this gift of carrying your message through our hearts. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 12:1-7 At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees. "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” Reflection It's interesting that Jesus is speaking here to the disciples, and you wonder what went through their mind. He's saying that you have to be careful about those who are going to resist you and your work. But don't be afraid if they kill you, because even though they might do that, they can never harm you. You are in the care of the God who created you. He knows you. He will not let anything happen to you, that is not for you. This may have been the beginning of the disciples finally realizing how dangerous their ministry would become. Closing Prayer Father, we worry about so many things. We often we even worry about whether or not we are going to be accepted when we die. But over and over again, you have said to so many, to all of us, nothing can separate you from the love of God. When you intend, when you struggle, when you work, longing for connection with him, you have nothing to fear. You will always be with him forever. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 11:47-54 The Lord said: "Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute' in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter." When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. Reflection Once Jesus ministry became public, he made it clear that there was a problem with the scribes and Pharisees. The leaders of the people. And in a way, diplomatically you might say, he was careful to point out things that they were doing wrong. But then he got to the point when his ministry was about an end, and he was tired of holding back. He wanted to make clear to them how deadly they had become, how much damage they were doing to the people. And so you can see in this passage that it finally gets down to a shouting match, probably between the scribes and Pharisees and Jesus. And they're always trying to trip him up, and they can't. They're losing. And that's when they decided to destroy him. Closing Prayer Jesus, often, when we are working at exposing our weaknesses, our shortcomings to ourselves, when we become more and more conscious. It gets a little bit more and more frightening at times if it gets to a point where we see more and more darkness. But unlike the scribes and Pharisees, we don't want to turn that into a rejection of you, the truth teller. And we want to embrace the truth. And we ask this in Jesus ‘name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices