As I read the readings for this weekend. Mathew chapter 10:16-17 popped into my head. “I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” The last line of our Gospel, “you cannot serve both God and mammon,” means you must choose what will reign in your heart: God or the influence of wealth. It cannot be both.

A working understanding of this world is necessary to love it and witness to it. At the same time, we must guard our hearts and actions so that we do not value what the world values. Shrewd as serpents: have a working knowledge of how humanity as a whole acts, what it values, in what shifting sands it has placed its hope. Innocent as doves: trying to live lives that please God, not others.

Here is the reality, folks. We have been entrusted with something far more precious than wealth or power – we have been entrusted with loving each other. We have to spend time in prayer thinking about how to balance truth and love. We need to learn how to walk with someone in order to win the right to share our perspective. Or we need to be intentional with the sacrifices we make for someone else’s good. Christ’s love is most truly revealed through the lens of relationship.

May the Love, Peace and Grace of God be with you,

Fr. Adam