Our Daily Bread: Rom 1:16-25; Luke 11:37-41

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator.

Paul is condemning idolatry, specifically targeting the Hellenistic (non-Jewish) world. In the Gospel, Jesus denounces the Pharisees and their attention to ritual while ignoring the more important spirit of the law, expressed in giving alms to the poor. This passage should strike fear in all of us. Our generation has idols, too; creatures to which we give our hearts; comforts and causes that define our lives. *

Jesus, be the Lord of our lives and fill up our hearts so that we have no room for any other god.