This weekend's Gospel tells the story of Jesus and the people he spent time with.  There is no question that Jesus was a devout rabbi, who practiced his faith and was true to his convictions.  But we also know that he was criticized for the people with whom he associated.  These folks were typically not religious, not devout and certainly not ones who publicly practiced faith!  In fact, the devout Jews assumed that these kinds of people had no faith! 

Jesus' problem with his critics was their self-righteous attitude.  While their own religious practices were very important to them, they had forgotten about the two most important aspects of faith . . . mercy and grace.  They were focused so strongly on the outward elements of religious faith, that their heart had forgotten God's grace in their own lives.  This weekend you will hear the stories of Matthew, the tax collector and the hemorrhaging woman (Matthew 9:9-13 and 18-26).  As you listen to them and Jesus' response to their situation, I pray that you will also be amazed at the grace that God has shown you in your life.