Fourth Sunday after Trinity, July 2nd, 2023

 Fourth Sunday after Trinity, July 2nd, 2023

The Gospel appointed for the Fourth Sunday after Trinity is taken from the Sixth Chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke.  When I hear this passage read it always makes me think of dear Bishop Mote because he would always say this passage from the Bible was his passage because this is the one that mentions "cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye"  Obviously, Bishop Mote was referring to the use of the word "mote" in the passage also being his last name.  But the importance of Our Lord's words recounted in this passage are of utmost importance for all of us to make note of.  In this section of St. Luke's Gospel Our Lord states that we should be merciful just as God, Our Heavenly Father is merciful.  But it is Verse 38 which should give us something to think about:  "give, and it shall be given unto you; . . . . For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again"  This phrase "Give, and it shall be given unto you"   What exactly do we give unto others?  Do we make a point to give what we get?  Do we make a point to get revenge when we feel we have been wronged?  Do we give what comes out of our anger and hatred and rage?  Do we give even worse than we got because the other person deserves it?  If so, Our Lord warns us that we should be very careful.  We should be very careful indeed because He reminds us "For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again"   In other words, if we give anger we will receive anger in return.  If we give hatred we should expect hatred in return.  If we show a lack of forgiveness for others, that is exactly what we should expect to receive in return.  If we refuse to forgive those who have wronged us, how in the world can we expect the Good Lord to show forgiveness to us?  Our Blessed Saviour doesn't ask us to do anything that He did not do Himself.  He forgave those who did Him wrong.   Being a Christian is very difficult.  Being a good Christian is extremely difficult.  It takes a lifetime of practice but God is with us every step of the way.

 St. Margaret Church worships every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM at the Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.