Scripture: Luke 19:10
[Jesus said] “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Thought for the Day: As I was flipping through TV channels the other day I ran across the inevitable sweaty, sales Bible-thumping preacher quite literally spewing hate from his mouth. His face, prescription his body, even the inflammatory words leaving his mouth were all drenched in the poisonous waters of intolerance. As I watched, I couldn’t decide which worried me more: his heart-attack inducing antics, or the roaring approval of the congregation. Here, live on TV for the entire universe to see, was a fine confederacy of hate, disguised in the clothing of a Christianity Jesus would neither recognize nor condone. For Jesus came not to condemn, but to save; not to berate, but to beautify; not to antagonize, but to accept. Apparently, this is a lesson we are all still learning.

Prayer: Almighty Christ! Lead your followers out of the darkness of intolerance, into the light of universal love you so fully radiate, now and forever. Amen.