The Blind.

When I look at the world I see some going this way, some going that way, some leading, some following, some chasing, some fleeing.....

The blind leading the blind.

Leaders who, "'lock people out of the kingdom of heaven'", who, "'do not go in themselves, and when others are going in, stop them.'"  Matthew 23:13 (NRSV)

What has changed?

The leaders do not go in themselves because they use the power and authority of their position as God's representatives to subjugate the masses, not to empower them or lead them to God.

"But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears in order not to hear.  They made their hearts adamant in order not to hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his spirit through the former prophets."  Zechariah 7:11,12a (NRSV)

These words were, "Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another."  Zechariah 7:9,10 (NRSV)

These ways were what God sought for us, not sacrifices, burnt offerings or songs, fasting, long prayers.....

Outside of the Church I see people chasing after the idols of this world: fame, pleasure, money, status, property, possessions.....

They corrupt themselves for them.

And still they find no satisfaction.

For only one thing will bring fulfillment:

Love.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]