- In a world where the religious leaders often bent God’s rules to suit their self-centered preferences, Jesus came to show the world what God was really like.
- Jesus insisted that our righteousness must surpass that of the “Pharisees and teachers of the law.” In other words, it has to be about more than just looking spiritual and holy to others—but about truly loving God and our neighbors.
- Jesus’s fiercest criticisms are for the religious Pharisees, and the teachers of the law.
- Have you ever purposefully changed the meaning of a rule to excuse what you were doing?
- What religious activities do we do to excuse ourselves from really loving people?
- Finally, today’s action challenge is about caring for your aging parents or grandparents. Since it’s always a good time to call your mom, why don’t you pick up the phone and call your mother or grandmother? Ask them about their life. Ask them what makes them feel the most loved and then do it. Even if it costs you time or money, God created us to radically care for each other, not to devise religious ways to make ourselves feel spiritual while excusing ourselves from loving others.