Hear the Word of God

They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.’ They answered him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does.’ They said to him, ‘We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.’ John 8:33-47

We live in a noisy, sensational, media driven world. Truth is manipulated and often covered up. Leadership in many places, from business to legislature and the church often think their own voice is the voice of God. God always invites to self-examination and humility, to love, mercy and justice. Very few leaders are able to admit when they're wrong and take responsibility for their behavior. Too often they shame, humiliate and blame others. That is not the voice of our Creator. We are invited today to listen to the still, small voice which invites us to humility and compassion. Voices of domination and cruelty are not our Creator's words or being.

Loving Creator, you made us in your image

with the capacity to think and reflect 

to amend our behavior and our wrong ways

and to turn daily to your heart of love.

Our environment is full of accusations

leaders pining their problems on innocents

Wealthy blaming the poor for the problems

shaming and abusing the refugee and immigrant.

Lord, help us to turn to your voice only today 

make us listen deeply to your call to respect

make us disciples as we examine our motives

and let your humility and compassion reign. Amen.