16-August-26 (Matthew 15:10-28)

Jesus said that it's what comes out of our hearts that matters most about who we are. I'd like to take that a bit further. It's not so much what we say, but what we do that matters. We can talk about how important it is to love our fellow human beings, but how do they know that love unless it takes place in concrete actions?
People know that we love them and care about them because we show up when they're dealing with tough situations and sit with them and listen to them. People know we love them when they're hungry and we show them where they can get food, The same thing follows for when they need a safe place to stay or clothes to wear.
So it is that the concrete acts of the Church, those that are supported by the offerings we collect, are the best way we have of communicating the love of God the works through us.
So, consider what you can give as the deacons come to collect the offering for today.

Prayer:

Please join me in a spirit of prayer.
God who loved us enough that you sent your son to show us that love in concrete acts, give us kind and generous hearts, to show your love through what we do.
Bless these offerings, that they would be put to use in doing such concrete acts of love as well.
We pray in Jesus name, AMEN