As Jesus is the cornerstone upon which the Church is built, so are his teachings the unifying cornerstone of Christian doctrine.

Going Overboard

Service to others is a hallmark of Christianity. From the story of the Good Samaritan to the Golden Rule, service to others is a valuable part of the Christian way of life. However, when is it too much? In Luke 10:38-42 we read about Jesus and his interaction with Martha. She was a fabulous host but was greatly distracted by her detailed preparations. She went overboard. What could have been simple turned into a major effort. Service is important, but sometimes we tend to go too far. Contrast a simple Christmas or wedding with an elaborate one where everyone is stressed out and financially overburdened. Contrast a simple church service where the Gospel is preached with an elaborate one where great emphasis is placed upon liturgical detail. We can do too much. Only one thing is essential, hearing Jesus.

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