MERCY SHOUT!
“Woe
to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed
tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of
dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.” – Matthew 23:27
He was young, physically active and appeared to be in the pink of health.
But on June 22, 2002, this 33-year-old St. Louis Cardinals pitching
star was found dead in his Chicago hotel room. An autopsy revealed that
he had a 90 percent blockage in two of three coronary arteries, an
enlarged heart and a blood clot in one of the arteries. His appearance
misled many to think that he was physically healthy.
People pretending to be well but are terribly sick in the spiritual sense — this is the definition of a hypocrite. In the heart
of Jesus, His condemnation of hypocrisy was never driven by hatred of
the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees. His was a wake-up call from
the love of God who wants to reach out, to heal and to share His
glorious destiny.
Yes, even if we think we’re full and well, God is faithful. He will do
whatever it takes to wake us up, until His hope that we admit our
brokenness and receive the healing of God is fulfilled. And when we respond, His mercy shout becomes a roar of joy in His Kingdom. Jon Escoto (faithatworkjon@gmail.com)
Reflection: Do you hear God’s mercy shout today?
Father,
amidst my illusions of completeness and strong leadership, open my ears
to hear Your shout today. And please don’t stop until I come to You. Thank You.
St. Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church, pray for us.
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