It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Getting righteous, a Reflection on Matthew 5:19-20

Righteousness is not superficial. Righteousness is following the commands of the Lord--not just parading around acting like we are, but really, really following them. Not trying to look better than some other religious person, but to live out their intention.

Thomas Long, in his commentary on Matthew, expresses it this way:
...a righteousness that seeks to be ever expressive of the merciful, forgiving, reconciling will of God that likes at the center of the law.

1 comment:

John, an unlikely pastor said...

the funny thing about righteousness is when you recognize that you don't have it on your and can't fake it.

Righteousness is Jesus' to give and it's only in turning to him completely that we discover it's really the way we were meant to live. Funny thing is how readily we'll fake it until times really get tough