A Matter of the Heart--June 17, 2022

[From June 20, 2014 archive]

 

Create in us a clean heart, O God, 

and put a new and right spirit within us. 

 

When we are confronted by challenges, 

give us a heart to overcome them,

 

and when we have been hurt by a 

another, from the heart may we forgive; 

 

for to be your follower is a matter of the heart. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 51; 148; 142; 65

Numb. 13:1-3, 21-30

Rom. 2:25-3:8

Matt. 18:21-35

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 51:10 

Create in me a clean heart, O God, 
          and put a new and right spirit within me. 

 

Numb. 13:30 

But Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” 

 

Rom. 2:29a 

Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. 

 

Matt. 18:35 

“…So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”  [Jesus, to Peter and the other disciples]