Category: Spirituality

Blessing the Poor “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”[1] “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven.”[2] The initial verses from the Beatitudes and the Blessings and Woes are directed at the poor, but with a couple of subtle and interesting differences between … Continue reading Blessing the Poor

Blessedness and Woe, Part 2 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven...”[1] The phrase, “for your reward is great in heaven,” can be understood in different ways. And how we understand that phrase has a lot to do with how we understand and apply the Beatitudes in Matthew and the Blessings … Continue reading Blessedness and Woe, Part 2

Blessedness and Woe “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven...”[1] To begin the New Year I start a new series of Life Notes titled, Blessedness and Woe. This series will reflect upon what are commonly called the Beatitudes[2], contained in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount[3], and a similar set of teachings … Continue reading Blessedness and Woe

The Twelfth Day of Christmas: Epiphany Reading: “…(Magi) from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?’” [1] Reflection: The gift of the twelfth day of Christmas, according to the song, is twelve drummers drumming. The number 12 is associated with perfection, completeness, and harmony. … Continue reading Epiphany

The Eleventh Day of Christmas Reading: “…one of the men who have accompanied us…must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” [1] Reflection: The gift of the eleventh day of Christmas in the song is eleven pipers piping. Eleven refers to the 11 faithful disciples, which excludes Judas. Pipers are known to lead others … Continue reading The Eleventh Day of Christmas

The Tenth Day of Christmas Reading: “Transformation is a process. The accurate language for faith is not that ‘we are saved’ but that we are ‘being saved.’”[1] Reflection: In the song, the gift of the tenth day of Christmas is ten-Lords-a-leaping. Ten refers to the Ten Commandments, and Lords imply authority or governing power. Thus, … Continue reading The Tenth Day of Christmas

The Ninth Day of Christmas Reading: Symbols, like poetry, express what cannot be said.[1] Reflection: In the song, the gift of the 9th day of Christmas is nine ladies dancing. Nine refers to the nine fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.[2] Dancing is an expression of joy … Continue reading The Ninth Day of Christmas

The Eighth Day of Christmas Reading: “And the (side) that the Lord God had taken from the man (God) made into a woman…” [1] Reflection: In the song, the gift of the eighth day of Christmas is Eight Maids a-Milking. The eight maids signify the eight Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount.[2] The work … Continue reading The Eighth Day of Christmas

The Seventh Day of Christmas Reading: “So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work…done in creation.” [1] Reflection: The seventh day of creation symbolizes a day of rest from one’s labors, as opposed to a day of completion. The cycles of creation, life, and work … Continue reading The Seventh Day of Christmas

The Sixth Day of Christmas Reading: “Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness…’”[1] Reflection: On the sixth day of the Bible’s allegorical story of creation, God created humankind. The reference to God in this passage is plural and the context is communal, which is a strong hint that … Continue reading The Sixth Day of Christmas