Chasing authenticity

I have to tell you, that when I saw the Gospel for this morning I got rather excited: Today we seem to be living in time, in which the term Christian has multiple definitions: Most of which revolve around having the “correct” theology around issues like marriage and where people spend eternity.

The Gospel this morning offers us and different view: We could define it in fact as a how to reading “Just add water and it works”

Much of Matthew’s Gospel deals with Jesus tackling a kind of religious superficiality; hence, the don’t do references. Don’t do that, do this instead. The call to Christ’s audience and to us too, is a call to be authentic. Whatever we do with our lives must be genuine.

What does it mean to follower Jesus today and what should we do with it?

Why do we do what we do?

Those are the questions we are being invited to contemplate this morning:

While it is not my intention to accuse anybody of religious flashiness, I believe it is the modern Christian’s duty to reflect on the reasons for our practices.

So, that we don’t suffer from the disease of familiarity So, that we don’t suffer from the crippling disease of religious expectations.

So, we can make sure our actions in the name of our Lord, contain life and love.

What I like about today’s Gospel, is that Jesus isn’t attacking any of these practices, he’s saying do these but at the same time, he’s challenging us to find the balance between what we do in public and what we do in private.

God has given each human being a voice, message and a song to sing about him. The aspect that needs pondering is are we coming from a place of expectation: the need to display, or that of relationship?

It would be interesting to see what would happen to the shape of cooperate worship if the established church looked at these kinds of questions.

So, what can we take away from today?

Firstly, we should take time to examine the state of heart as often us we can.

Secondly, we a being called to make sure our values and practices bring life and justice to others.

Thirdly, we should always, at every turn, whether privately or publicly: use our voice, message and song to display the essence the holy.