Will Monroe
- Kjelder
- Feb 28
- 2 min read
Obedience is difficult.
I've been a member of St. Alban's for over 20 years. My family and I call it our church home and have all served in a variety of roles. I currently serve as the Senior Warden.
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Devotional
In today's gospel, Jesus tells his followers to, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." If you have ever had an enemy, or believed that you have, you might find this difficult. Pray for those who persecute me? I think I can try. Can I really love them? But Jesus doesn't stop there. "Be perfect, therefore, as your Father is perfect." This makes obedience seem simply out of reach and it brings me down to earth. But maybe this is where I belong.
I was reminded the other day about talking to young children about Ash Wednesday. "Why are we getting ashes on our foreheads?", I have been asked. This is the day that we remember that we are finite beings loved by an infinite God. And those ashes remind us of where we began, in the garden, and where we will return, down to earth.
Today's reading from Deuteronomy also reminds us to be obedient and to do so with all our heart. "Today the LORD has obtained your agreement: to be his treasured people, as he promised you, and to keep his commandments." Being one of the LORD's treasured people, his children, and waiting for what comes next, is a step that I think I can take today.
