‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. Matthew 5:27-30
These are some of the harshest words of Jesus. Plucking out an eye or cutting off of one's hand is graphic on purpose. We are so very ready to shame and blame others, calling folks out for their sin, mistakes and failures. We are very rarely ready to admit to ours, let alone to take responsibility for them and change our ways. Jesus was likely frustrated with the religious leadership who were so ready to stone and punish impoverished sinners, yet were refusing to admit their own mistakes, demonstrating an arrogance and hubris. I guess they think they were insulated from sin because of their power. None of us are. God invites us to a new humility and self-examination in this season of resurrection.
Eternal Creator, we are made in your image
we are tinted in the arrays of your beauty
we are given your wisdom and compassion
yet our sin keeps us from living your love.
You taught us to live daily to serve others
yet we seek attention and our self-importance
we step on others who are hurting and failing
and are jealous of what blessings others have.
Lord, help us to see our sin and human failings
give us the strength to pluck out the selfishness
make us strong enough to cut out sinful behaviors
so that your love flows freely through us today. Amen.
