The Gospel reading for this Sunday has a special "treat" for conspiracy theorists and those who want to explore history beyond what your teacher taught. When the religious leaders sent priests and Levites to ask John the Baptist who he was and what could be expected of him, John replied by telling them that one among them would come and be gfreater than him.

Does this tell us something more, including what happened to Jesus between the Finding In The Temple and his baptism by John?

Interestingly, the Pagan holiday of Samhain in the Northern Hemisphere coincides with All Saint's Day and All Souls' Day. And in the Southern Hemisphere it coincides with Walpurgis Night. While there are those who would make accusations of copying holidays, we need to consider the likelihood that different people might be looking at the same thing from their own perspective.

The book of Revelation shows even more, with the inclusion beyond the elite 144,000. Beyond them, there was a group which nobody could number, in white robes and holding palms. So much for those who would like to make us feel defeated.

For some reason, this was a difficult service to do, including a physical illness and a few other things. But here it is, including some special prayers included for the benefit of those we love who have crossed over.

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Here is one of the more over-interpreted Epistle readings, and the fact is that it is really very straightforward. For all of the extra "stuff" some might want to add, the answer is simply to use the protection you have been given to keep yourself from danger.

Understand that sin is really about, and you'll understand. We don't want to replace something that's worth the effort with some "quickie" that only brings brief gratification.

Get the point of this Gospel reading, and you'll find everything else falling into place! You hear it every Holy Communion, because it's one of the first things the priest says. And now, you see why.

The Pharisees had their piles of rules, and Jesus had two commandments which covered them all

A pair of readings which drive home a point which many miss. In the Gospel reading, Jesus comes upon a funeral procession for a widow's only son. Her only son dying would condemn a widow to destitution. Jesus brings her son back from the dead, and the people are overwhelmed by that happening.

In the Epistle, St Paul wishes the Ephesians to be able to comprehend with all saints the breadth, length, depth and height and know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge. Imagine how much that must be compared to our own knowledge!

Here we have a pair of readings with essentially the same message: Don't get hung up on the wrong stuff! It's an easy trap to fall into, and we don't need it.

In the Epistle, we're reminded of the various people who would love to have us "jump through hoops" for one reason or another, even if it is not necessary. Such people are on power trips that we do not need to feed.

In the Gospel, we hear an often mis-used verse about the lilies of the field, but it is valid to use in terms of a line in a prayer which we all know. When we say "Give us this day our daily bread" we ask to be fed today, but without concern about tomorrow's bread which will come when it is due. It's the simple fact that mammon is physical wealth, and people cannot worship both God and physical wealth. Seek the Kingdom of God, and you can also have the rest.

We're back, and there's all the more reason to distribute sacraments along with potential controversy! How many people actually get what Jesus was telling us? Paul certainly did!

The legalism of the Old Testament, especially The Law, was a stumbling-block for people. And I'm sure that most of us can think of something we were never attracted to until someone tried to prohibit it! And that's the reason for the Kingdom of Heaven and the Spirit.

And if we follow the Spirit, the fruits of the Spirit will exclude the fruits of The Law, giving us something far greater!

Here's more potential controversy! At any rate, it won't sit well with some folks. In the Epistle, Paul points out that the same grace is given to all. This extends from those who were closest to Jesus, such as Peter, to those like Paul who had once persecuted Jesus' followers.

The gospel points out another basic fact, that being that excessive pride does not bring grace. A Pharisee and a tax collector went to pray in the temple. The Pharisee was supposedly a paragon of righteousness, while the tax collector was seen as a crook. But who was it that went home justified?

HEAVY RELEVANT STUFF ALERT: The Gospel reading is one most of us know, but deserves being refreshed in our mind from time to time. This is especially true in time of elections, or any other time when politicians or others are posturing themselves and claiming what "good Christians" they are. If you know a tree by its fruits, please understand that you do not have to wait for the harvest to see if the fruit is good or bad.

If someone wants to claim to be a "good Christian", see how they measure up to the example which Christ himself set! There was someone who would minister to lepers, publicans and all kinds of other outcasts. While his neighbors detested Samaritans, Jesus ministered to them, and even journeyed through their country.

Again, what seems to be a difficult Gospel verse that you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees and the scribes. But, what does it mean? The Pharisees and scribes devoted their lives to following all of the rules. Do we have to out-do them in following nitpicky rules, or is there something greater that they missed?

And with that, Jesus shows us what is at the heart of genuine righteousness.