GLEANINGS from the Daily Office – Lies Rising

GLEANINGS (from the Daily Office) – Lies Rising – Year One, Proper 27, Thursday, November 12, 2015, Matthew 16:1-12

“Beware of the leaven . . . ”

Jesus mentions leaven and stomachs begin to rumble. Isn’t that just like us! I smell bacon and my mouth waters. Self-preservation inclines us to be concerned about from where our next meal will come.

But there are more important things. Man does not live by bread alone. The Word is meant to transform us more and more into the likeness of Jesus.

And what the Word works to our good lies seek to undermine. Beware. Be aware. As much as, if not more, we should be concerned about food, we should be concerned when we are in the midst of false teaching.

This reminds me of a book I read years ago, The Cruelty of Heresy. I know, I know heresy is not popular. Using the word raises the specter of inquisitions. Excommunication is one thing. Putting people to death is another. But wrongheadedness concerning punishments doesn’t preclude false teaching, heresy. And it’s cruel.

Teach a person he must please God with works in order to earn God’s a favor and he will either exhaust himself trying or run and hide when he becomes aware he could not possibly measure up. Conversely, teach a man he is loved in spite of what he has done and you give a man a means of peacefully coexisting. The playing field is made level. I can love as I am loved.

Be aware. False teaching wrecks lives! When your stomach rumbles take stock of the teaching around you.

–Frodo: “I wish none of this had happened.” Gandalf: “So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”–