Being and Becoming in the Life of Faith

THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL: LUKE 18: 9-14 (THE MESSAGE)

He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people— robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.' Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.' Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face, but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."

Have you ever felt better than someone else? Have you ever been put in your place by someone or something? Have you ever experienced both? Pride and humility, self-righteousness and remorse are common experiences in our ordinary lives and in our lives of faith. But what do you think that last sentence in our scripture lesson is all about: If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”? What does it mean to be simply yourself? And what does this have to do with being proud or humble?

Join us on Sunday, October 24 at 10:00am in Christ Church as we explore what all of this means in our daily lives and what it may look like in our lives of faith. Immediately following worship, we will join together for our FINAL October Potluck Program in the Fellowship Hall where we will define our goals and the tasks need to accomplish each goal as it relates to our one ultimate objective. As our process draws to a close it is even more important for everyone to be present for both worship and the program!

Shameless plug: Each Wednesday night at 7:30pm, a small group of us gathers in the Parlor to wrestle with the following Sunday’s Gospel lesson. What ensues is amazing conversation, authentic struggle and not a lot of answers but the confidence that we usually leave no stone unturned. It would be wonderful if you would join us and enrich our study and conversation with your experience and understanding of God’s love and word. Everyone is welcome.