It may feel rather backwards chronologically, but our gospel for today doesn’t come from one of the post-resurrection Easter appearances of Jesus, but from his final conversation with the disciples on Maundy Thursday. It was written however, for a community that was surely in need of Jesus’ good words.
The Light on the Ridge
The Light on the Ridge
Sermons on The Commandments
Goodness is what today’s readings are all about. God brings about goodness through God’s ordering of creation.
Our readings for today speak about accounting, and about judgment, and about keeping commandments.
St. Paul gives us positive words today: God is the one who gives the growth – no matter how hard we work, all that is good or worthwhile comes from God’s gifts, not our own. But Jesus gives us nothing but hard sayings today, one after another.
Today’s gospel contains the two commandments that are key to eternal life. Plus the story of a Samaritan who is good. Oh, we need life. And we need goodness. Let us see where we will find them.
They look good on the outside, but their goodness is only skin deep.