Thoughts for another day

July 23, 2013.

Today's verse: Mt. 9:13. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

Rita was ‘God fearing’: she gave her tithes regularly; fasted, prayed, keeping every Sabbath, come what may.  She was a ‘good’ woman accredited also as a counselor by her church.  She waited after church services to counsel people.  To her horror, one Sunday morning, she saw Mrs. Jones heading toward her.  Mrs. Jones was branded a loose woman and some even whispered she was a prostitute.  Her husband had left her and she lived alone on state welfare and help of a few people.  Seeing no way to escape and summoning her weakest smile, she welcomed Mrs. Jones.  The lady cried saying she needed money urgently for the mortgage of her home, and sought her help.  Now leave alone give a loan, Rita would’ve if possible, made her vanish into thin air; but had to face her and in a feeble voice said she couldn’t help.  Mrs. Jones, wiping her tears but still trying, told her she could pay the mortgage company directly if she wasn’t to be trusted, else she’d be thrown out next week.  And how could Rita not have money: her husband had the largest chain of bakeries in the city.  Yet, Rita pulled some story of how badly they were doing and shooed her away. 

Desmond’s mother’s pulse was fading.  It was 3 am and they decided to call the Pastor to send her on her journey with a few words of comfort.  Desmond ran to the church yard, a good two km. away ignoring the cold and the barking of dogs chasing him.  The gate of the church was closed.  He rang the bell but realised there was no sound coming as someone had switched off the bell so as not to disturb those inside.  Desmond shouted as loud as he could; a light came on and a window opened.  Desmond shouted but realized he was too far for the person to hear him.  The window closed and the light went out.  Desmond waited thinking somebody would come out; he waited but no one came.  He shouted again but no light came on and after almost 30 mins. He turned and returned home to find his mother dead. 

Both these instances tell us of real Christians; real people and in one case even a Pastor.  They were considered righteous and good, yet, in both cases of urgent need, they failed to show Christian charity.  Look at our Word today and see what the Lord is saying.  What’s the use of all our piety if we’re unable to see the tears in the eyes of our brethren?  And to each of us the Lord is saying, ‘I seek mercy…not your properness of rituals and sacrifices.’  What is our answer?