Wednesday 30 August

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Psalm 139; Matthew 23:27-32

Whitewashed tombs

Jesus has no time at all for hypocrisy. We put so much effort into keeping up appearances. No one wants to look bad in the eyes of others. Putting on ‘a brave face’ might be a way of coping with grief, but it might also be a way of preventing people from helping me, or pretending I’m not hurting. Covering up guilt by lying; giving the appearance of conformity while harbouring deep anger; living two lives – gentle and generous at work, violent and abusive at home. Merciful God, clean the ‘whitewash’ from me. Help me to be true to others by being true to myself. Amen.