OIL & WATER

One of the difficulties we encounter as a Christian is how to tame our tongues. We are sometimes very quick to say things without much thought that we end up hurting other people's feelings. Well, I guess we've all been there and done that. We can think of all kinds of justification for our action but it still doesn't change the fact that we've offended someone. The words that we speak are one of the things that we can never take back once it has been said. Relationships suffer a lot because of this and it will always be for the best if we think hard and twice before we say anything at all. We should always consider the rule of using words only when necessary. Amen. Hallelujah!

Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5
...On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.

We are being reminded by the readings today to always keep ourselves blameless before the Lord. God wants to be with us, there is no doubt about that. But just like water and oil which can not be put together and mixed so is God and man if we are in sin or harbor anything that can not be attributed to the holiness of God. We can not force two different things to go together. Water is a polar molecule and oil is non polar. They do not mix because they are two different substances as in the adage, "Like dissolves like." God can not change. He is already who He is, Holy in all His ways. We can change. We can be like God in His holiness and goodness if we want to be with Him forever. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
...Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? Or who may stand in his holy place? (R) 4 He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) 5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior. 6 Such is the race that seeks for him,...


We may think of it as very foolish for someone to offer her whole livelihood and be left with nothing. The point here and what is being emphasized in today's gospel is the sincerity of the heart in giving and our complete trust in God whom we can not out give. We can never outdo God's generosity. The question here is, do we sincerely do it when we do something like giving of our time, talent and treasure? We should come to a point just like this poor widow when we do and give our all for the glory of God. Not holding back anything knowing in our heart that God deserves the best and the most that we can give. Amen. Hallelujah!


Luke 21:1-4
1 When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury 2 and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 3 He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; 4 for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”