Some diversions from the Way of Peace Jesus witnesses are obvious, others more subtle. Worshipping a golden calf, today’s first reading, would fit the obvious category. Losing ourselves to a life of greed, abuse, or various superficialities would as well. What about subtle diversions? Diversions so slight we are unaware of having gone astray. Years … Continue reading “Mercy and Compassion”
Category: Love
Service
Jesus teaches disciples about service in this Sunday’s Gospel. People to whom Jesus was of service were usually those others judged to be sinners. They were people who were sick, poor, Gentiles, women. In truth though, Jesus was of service to anyone in need. The service Jesus extended to others was the service he called … Continue reading “Service”
Prayer
Prayer is a routine and vital ingredient of Jesus’ life. The Gospel shows Jesus frequently going off to be alone in prayer. It also shows him frequently teaching the disciples how to pray. This Sunday’s Gospel has a few such teachings and includes Jesus’ simple yet profound and indeed revolutionary prayer to Abba. Jesus’ revelation … Continue reading “Prayer”
Presence
Presence is our awareness of ourselves as a gift. We are beautiful and our Creator is in love with us. We respect that love relationship as the abiding communion of our lives. It’s a loving communion we share with others who are also gifts, also beautiful, and also beloved. We risk living intimately, in touch … Continue reading “Presence”
Sin and Forgiveness
The Pharisee in Sunday’s Gospel shows no signs of love nor forgiveness but instead signs of being judgmental and unforgiving. He is judging a woman who bathes Jesus’ feet with her tears as being a sinner. She is undeserving of forgiveness. The Pharisee does not judge himself a sinner. He judges himself as saved and … Continue reading “Sin and Forgiveness”
Joy
Joy was pouring forth from the disciples after Jesus’ Ascension. The disciples had known joy from the beginning of their time with Jesus. They enjoyed an intimate companion in Jesus. They enjoyed a deepening character within themselves. They enjoyed a continually expanding circle of friends. Included among their friends were persons who had been sick … Continue reading “Joy”
Love
Love is Jesus’ commandment, “I give you a new commandment: love one another.” Jesus rarely spoke in terms of commandments. Yet his teaching on love in the Gospel is presented in that manner. Jesus’ commandment would seem to warrant attention, especially from Christians. Certainly from self-titled Christians enamored of Ten Commandments from the Old Testament. … Continue reading “Love”