Universal Utterings

for August 27, 2025

A Godcast

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08-27-2025 Matthew 23 v2326 Inside They Are Full of Plunder and Self-Indulgence

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The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 23 Verses 23 thru 26

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. [But] these you should have done, without neglecting the others. 24 Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”

In Matthew 23:23-26, Jesus confronts the religious leaders of His time, calling them out for their hypocrisy and misplaced priorities. He highlights their meticulous adherence to minor aspects of the Law, such as tithing herbs like mint and dill, while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that self-indulgence and a focus on earthly matters can create a profound separation from God's Divine Will.

When we allow ourselves to become consumed by self-serving behaviors and material pursuits, we risk losing sight of the greater purpose for our lives. The Pharisees, in their fervor to appear righteous, became blind to the essence of God’s law—love and mercy. By prioritizing ritual over the heart of God’s commands, they not only alienated themselves from His presence but also distorted the very fabric of His mercy and grace.

Self-indulgence can take many forms—whether it's an obsession with wealth, status, or even a rigid adherence to religious practices that lack genuine affection for others. Such attitudes sever our connection to God’s will, preventing us from becoming true vessels of His compassion in the world.

Jesus urges us to examine our hearts, reminding us that outward appearances mean little if they do not align with the transformative love of God. When we focus solely on our desires, we forfeit the opportunity to embody His mercy, which is meant to flow through us to others. In embracing God's will, we find not just our purpose but also the fullness of His mercy. Let us strive to align our lives with His divine plan, avoiding the pitfalls of self-indulgence that can lead to spiritual emptiness. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,

Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®

Ephesians 6:17-20

08-26-2025 Matthew 23 v2326

**Inside They Are Full of Plunder and Self-Indulgence**

In cloaks of righteousness, they stand and preach,

Their focus lost on laws that they can reach,

With herbs they count, both faithful and precise,

Yet justice wanes, a forgotten sacrifice.

Oh, weigh the heart, where mercy should reside,

For hollow acts won't bring the spirit's guide.

Self-indulgence blinds, a veil over the soul,

Divine will calls us to a higher goal.

The tender grace, in every bond we make,

To give and serve, to love for love's own sake.

Yet ritual's chains can bind us to the past,

Dismissing what is just, the shadows cast.

So cleanse the cup, inside and out renew,

Let mercy flow in everything we do.

In humble hearts, where true compassion reigns,

We find our purpose, where His love remains. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

August 27, 2025 @ 04:44 AM EST

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