Blessed are the Persecuted
Blessed are the Persecuted “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”[1] “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your … Continue reading Blessed are the Persecuted
Podcast of “Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 4”
Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 4
Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 4 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”[1] What does it mean to make peace. What is the nature of the peace we attempt to make? Is peace the absence of conflict? Is peace like the calm after a thunderstorm where the atmosphere has momentarily … Continue reading Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 4
Podcast of “Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 3”
Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 3
Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 3 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”[1] The past couple of weeks I focused generally on international and religious violence. This week I zero in on more personal contexts of violence – that occurring in families and other intimate relationships. Jesus’ statement that “blessed … Continue reading Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 3
Podcast of “Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 2”
Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 2
Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 2 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”[1] Last week I went to some length considering how common it is to use violence to try to attain peace, particularly between nations. In many ways it is our default position – that if we cannot peacefully … Continue reading Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 2
Podcast of “Blessed are the Peacemakers”
Blessed are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the Peacemakers “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”[1] What is a peacemaker? Would President Harry Truman be considered a peacemaker for forcing Japan to surrender, thus ending World War II, by dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? It is argued, perhaps correctly, that such an overwhelming … Continue reading Blessed are the Peacemakers
Contemplating Grace 