Cultural Fear of Death I say, “You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince.” Psalm 82:6-7 We live in a culture that is, in my opinion, unreasonably fearful of death. We even avoid the word, saying someone passed away or crossed … Continue reading Cultural Fear of Death
Tag: faith
Trusting Divine Provision
Trusting Divine Provision When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:19-20 … Continue reading Trusting Divine Provision
Podcast of Peace! Be Still!
Peace! Be Still!
Peace! Be Still! He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. Mark 4:39 Jesus had been teaching to a crowd on the banks of the Sea of Galilee. Evening came and Jesus said to his disciples, “Let … Continue reading Peace! Be Still!
Strain a Gnat, Swallow a Camel
Strain a Gnat, Swallow a Camel Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law; justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but … Continue reading Strain a Gnat, Swallow a Camel
The Poor in Spirit
The Poor in Spirit Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 The first Beatitude of Jesus tells us the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit. As he so often does, Jesus mixes metaphors in a way that many will reject as nonsense. For others, … Continue reading The Poor in Spirit
Do Not Be Afraid
Do Not Be Afraid He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:40 When we are afraid it is often because we have lost a sense of control, we are in an unfamiliar situation, or darkness has made our surroundings strange and threatening. We can be frightened because we … Continue reading Do Not Be Afraid
Great Joy
Great Joy May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 The theme for the third week of Advent is Joy. Happiness is often used synonymously with joy, but the two are significantly different. … Continue reading Great Joy
The Face of Calm
The Face of Calm He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who … Continue reading The Face of Calm
The Face of Compassion
The Face of Compassion When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” John 5:6 To paraphrase Fr. Richard Rohr from a number of his writings, “God is found where the suffering is.” Nowhere is that more … Continue reading The Face of Compassion
Contemplating Grace 