Righteousness, Mercy, and Humility (Epiphany A4)

You mortals, the LORD has told you what is good. This is what the LORD requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God*

These statements are radical to us. As a whole the statements of Micah, the ethics of the psalmist and the blessings of Jesus are all counter intuitive. Righteousness is foreign. Our sinful nature cannot really accept perfection as a real possibility. Human wisdom while searching for Good still cautions, "Nice guys finish last."

But Jesus at the end of the chapter sums it up: "Be holy as your father in heaven is holy."

Righteousness and holiness are the order of the day.

Paul brings two important truths into focus: this is not the wisdom of the world, nor is it the work of man that any should boast.

It is our weakness and destitution that reveal the glory of Christ in perfection.

Righteousness. Mercy. Humility. They stand as a quaint hermitage in our lives. Do we really believe them attainable? Put together they go beyond the list of external don'ts common to my holiness roots. This is a tender and merciful and heart perfected through discipline and most of all grace.

Lord break me open and let your grace make a perfect heart, humble and compassionate.