Break Your Mirrors!

The in book of Wisdom this morning, we hear about the wicked who want to test, prod, and beset the just one because he is "obnoxious....against our doings....reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges  with violations of our training."  All the wicked can see is themselves, their wants and needs, their cares and how they can test and condemn.  They have no desire to be tested and rebukes the one testing them!    From good shall come good, from wicked comes wicked things.

Then in James, we see how pride, jealousy, and selfish ambition brings discord and every foul practice.  Wars, killing, and conflicts against each other are caused by the passions of those who want what is not theirs.  What ever good comes from these things, anyway?


Jesus, in Mark, was adamant with his disciples about pride and self-absorption when He tells them,"If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be last of all and the servant of all."  Placing a child in their midst, Jesus told them, "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me."  Wow!  Children in ancient times were considered insignificant, so for them to take care and nurture a child...an insignificant person, was asking them much; as Jesus is asking of us today as well!

Especially during such tremulous times as this present election year, along with the serious strife in foreign countries, we can see exactly what is going on in our world around us through the words of the Bible this weekend.


Our pastor talked about Sargent Shriver's address back in 1994, a good piece of advice for our world today!

“Break your mirrors!  Yes, indeed — shatter the glass.  In our society that is so self-absorbed, begin to look less at yourself and more at each other. Learn more about the face of your neighbor, and less about your own.

I suggest this: when you get to be 30, 40, 50, or even 70 years old, you’ll get more happiness and contentment out of counting your friends than counting your dollars.  You’ll get more satisfaction from having improved your neighborhood, your town, your state, your country and your fellow human beings than you’ll ever get from your muscles, your figure, your automobile, your house, or your credit ratings.

You’ll get more from being a peacemaker than a warrior. I’ve been both, so I speak from experience.  Break the mirrors!

Be peacemakers of the community, and you and your family will be happy.”

– Sargent Shriver, Yale Class Day Address, 1994 

Break your mirrors, get over yourself, look at what is past your nose.  How can we help and nurture each other; how can we make things better in our homes first and then where we are during the daily hours of our world.

Many thanks to my pastor who each and every Sunday has good things to share in opening up the Word of God for me and my family.

Blessings!