2Cor. 5:14-21 | Ps. 103:1-4, 8-9 | Lk. 2:41-51

Once again Jesus attempts to help us to see that it is what is at the heart of the matter that is important.  If we live by integrity, then our response to requests will come from that place and we will say what we mean.  We will not respond one way and do the other.  We will say “yes” when we mean “yes” and “no” when we mean “no.”

Paul reminds us that Christ redeemed us through His death on the Cross.  It is through this gift of Christ that we have been made new.  This is the ministry of “reconciliation” which Christ brought about and into which we have been called as followers of Christ.  Therefore we are called to be reconciled to God and to one another.  

Our world does not hold either of the characteristics of integrity or reconciliation as important.  We are called, as Christians, to live these qualities and to bring others to value them by the way we live.  Stop to see how truthful you are.  How do you carry out reconciliation?  What area do you need to practice?  How will you do so today?  Ask Christ to help you to live out of these values.