Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 10: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 25; Evening, Psalms 9 and 15;
Joshua 2:1-14; Rom. 11:1-12; Matt. 25:1-13
“But the woman took the two men and hid them. Then she said, ‘True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they came from. And when it was time to close the gate at dark, the men went out. Where the men went I do not know. Pursue them quickly, for you can overtake them.’ She had, however, brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax that she had laid out on the roof.” (Joshua 2: 4 – 6)
Is it ever ok to lie? As I study our ancient writings, I have to say, yes! And it is not just in this case. In chapter 27 of Genesis, Jacob, (who later became Israel), was blessed based on a lie! Jacob, participating with his mother Rebecca, fooled Isaac with a lie into believing that Jacob was Esau, who was technically the first born son. Therefore, it seems, all of Israel was based on a lie. But this was a lie that God sanctioned.
It seems that God reads the human heart. If the heart is good and loving, God will pardon a multitude of sins. So I ponder about the six social laws of our ten commandments. The first four are about honoring God; have no other God, don’t use God’s Name in vain, make no image of God and remember the Sabbath. The last six however have to do with how we relate with one another. To be a false witness is just another way to say lie. But God is merciful and pardons.
I have also heard stories about not giving up Jews hiding in the homes of Germans during the Hitler regime when Nazis were demanding that they be turned over to them. Yes, lies told for the safety of people are pardoned by God.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray:
Almighty God, the Absolute Truth, be merciful with us as we fall short of being as truthful as you are. But we pray, continue with us to be ever striving to be more truthful as we journey to you, to live forever in your eternal love, truth and mercy. Amen.
onewhoponders 