Not A Moment To Spare

A Sunday-school teacher had been telling her class of youngsters about “heavenly rewards” and “crowns of glory” for people who believed and lived good lives. “Now tell me,” she said at the close of the lesson, “Who will get the biggest crown?” There was silence for a moment, then one bright youngster piped out, “The one who has the biggest head.”

Another Sunday-school teacher asked one of her students this question: “Johnny, can you tell me what we must do before we can expect forgiveness of sin?” “Yes sir,” Johnny replied. “We must sin.”

Still another Sunday-school teacher asked, “What do you think a land flowing with milk and honey would be like?” “Sticky,” came the answer.

In today’s Gospel Lesson, Jesus makes things a bit sticky for some sinners who have big heads: the pious, Church-going, self-righteous religious leaders of His time. Throughout the Gospels, the language Jesus uses to condemn their hypocrisy is always harsh and uncompromising. He says: