“The Children cease to play, and look at the old woman…Who is as good as all that?… our mother. She has God in her soul. She cares for us, the poor. She has given me a skirt — and some tea, and money too… How could we exist if it were not for such kind … Continue reading “Advent: Kindness”
Author: Editor
Advent Conversion
The warrior seeks a baptism of repentance, a “kind solace in a dying hour… Know thou the secret of a spirit Bow’d from its wild pride into shame… O craving heart, for the lost flowers And sunshine of my summer hours! The undying voice of that dead time, With its interminable chime, Rings, in the … Continue reading “Advent Conversion”
Advent Awareness
Wearied of war the poet sees “with my own eyes the Sibyl at Cumae hanging in a cage, and when the boys said to her: “Sibyl, what do you want?” she answered: “I want to die.”… “What are the roots that clutch, what branches grow Out of this stony rubbish? Oh Son of man, You … Continue reading “Advent Awareness”
Kings or Kids
Pilate said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” “Jesus answered, ‘You … Continue reading “Kings or Kids”
Deconstructing the Working Man Identity
“As Jesus was making his way out of the temple area, one of his disciples said, Look, teacher, what stones and what buildings. Jesus responded, ‘Do you see these great buildings? There will not be one stone left upon another that will not be thrown down.’” Jesus talks of the tribulation of those days and … Continue reading “Deconstructing the Working Man Identity”
Beware
“Beware of the scribes,” Jesus says, “They like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers.” Jesus “observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many … Continue reading “Beware”
Love They Neighbor
The Old Testament writes of Yahweh, declaring, “I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God.” Yahweh then has Moses give his 10 commandments to the people. Afterward, Moses says, “Fear the LORD, your God, and keep, throughout the days of your lives, all his statutes and commandments.’” “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our … Continue reading “Love They Neighbor”
Sacred Hearts
“As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out.” “And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more.” “Jesus stopped and said, … Continue reading “Sacred Hearts”
Glory
“James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the … Continue reading “Glory”
Needling the Rich
A man asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “You know the commandments.” The man replied, “Yes Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus looked at him and loved him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor … Continue reading “Needling the Rich”