12/8/2024 The Gift "The Wrapping"

This is week one of our series The Gift. Today we reflect on a very important teaching from Jesus, one that speaks directly to the condition of our hearts. In a world that often values external appearances and behaviors, Jesus turns our attention to what lies beneath the surface, our inner thoughts, desires, and motives. He reminds us that what is in our hearts matters greatly, because it shapes who we are and how we interact with the world. If our hearts are polluted with evil, it will defile us; but if our hearts are renewed by the grace of God, they become a gift for us and for others. What is in your heart? We read through scriptures Matthew 15:1-20, Luke 6:45 and Ezekiel 36:25-27.