For we are the aroma of Christ...among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life... (2 Corinthians 2:15-16) Sometimes when I hug someone, I come away smelling like them. I have a very sensitive nose and can often …
Ancient Rules for Today’s Political Situation…
You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason with your neighbor, lest you bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:17-18, RSV) It …
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The Best Gift….
Love is born into the darkness of night, in a humble place smelling of hay and animal dung. Almighty God himself, emptied of his majesty and glory, leaves Heaven behind and stoops to be born like each of his creatures. The Creator becomes a vulnerable, helpless baby whose physical life depends entirely upon his creatures' …
A Spiritual Detox…
The voice of one who calls out, "Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God." (Isaiah 40:3) This verse from the prophet Isaiah is read at the beginning of the Advent season, the weeks prior to the feast of Christmas. It is quoted in …
Begin Again…
I've been thinking... The only real defeat in the spiritual life is to quit, to fail to get up after stumbling or being knocked down. His mercies are new every morning...(cf Lamentations 3:22-23) If we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny Himself...(2 Timothy 2:13) Weeping endures for a night, but joy …
Gossip…
"...speak and act as people who will be judged by the law of freedom. For the judgement is merciless to one who has not shown mercy...Who then are you to judge your neighbor?..." (James 2:12-13, 4:12b) Gossip is always negative and disdainful of another person. If we praise another person we don't label that gossip; …
Living in the “Already-But-Not-Yet” of Faith…
O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?...And the LORD answered me..."For still the vision awaits its time...it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come... the righteous shall live by his faith." (Habakkuk 1:2, 2:2-4) The prophet here is complaining about the …
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The One Thing I Can Always Give to God…
"Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you." (1 Peter 5:7). Where do my anxieties, my worries come from? Mostly they come from helplessness, from a fearful sense that I am not sufficient to what's ahead. Anxiety arises from my knowledge that life right now is out of my control. I want …
“Listen to Him”…
"...This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" (Luke 9:35, RSVCE) Last Wednesday on the liturgical calendar was the Transfiguration. The Gospel reading was St Luke's account of what transpired on Mount Tabor. The dozing disciples awaken to the glorious vision of Jesus ablaze in light, conferring with figures whom they recognize as Moses …
Love is Patient…
"Love is patient, love is kind..." (1 Corinthians 13:4a) When Saint Paul undertakes to describe the characteristics of divine love, the first thing he writes is that love is patient and the second is that it is kind. I was meditating on this recently because I know I am sometimes (more often than I'd like) …
Lessons From Love School 