The Poor in Spirit

Poor in Spirit:

In the Gospel of St. Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7, we find the essence of Jesus's teachings.    We are introduced to the mind of Jesus.  Chapter 5 begins with what are called The Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are 8 blessings recounted in the Sermon on the Mount.  Each is a proverb-like proclamation that is without narrative, but cryptic, precise, and full of meaning. The Beatitiudes describe various aspects of the spiritual attitudes that are supposed to be found in and to prevail in every Christian, which is religious openess to God's will in spite of the hard conditions of the present life.  The beatitudes are a reversal of worldly values that is sometimes called "counter cultural". 

The first beatitude is, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of heaven is theirs."  It has always been a little puzzling to me.  Just who are the "poor in spirit"?  

The poor of the first beatitiude are a religious, not just a social category.  They are not only destitute, but oppressed by the rich, who trusted in their wealth and disregarded God.  The poor are really poor and religious people who put their trust in God and expect help and deliverance from Him alone.   In James 2:5 it syas that God has chosen poor people to be rich in faith and the kingdom of Heaven is theirs, for that is the gift God has promised to all those who love Him. 

Today for us "Poor in Spirit" means keeping ourselves in the perspective of God acknowledging and thanking Him as the source of all good things.  It means being good stewards of all given to us for ourselves and others. 

Poor in spirit means acknowledging God's ownership of everything and that we are responsible to be good stewards of those things with which we have been blessed.  Our attitude should be  one of faithful servanats and not one of pride, envy, lust, and gluttony.   We are called to use what we have and are given to provide for ourselves and serve God's people.  

So, are you "Poor in Spirit"?   Are you humble and generous?  Do you acknowledge and thank God for all you have?   Are you ready to share your treasure?  The reward is priceless:  the Kingdom of Heaven!

God Love you!

Humility

 Humility:

As Christians we are called to be humble.  In Luke 14:11 Jesus tells us, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled , but he who humbles himself will be exalted." Then in Matthew 11:29 Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart."

C.S. Lewis tells us:

I believe that humility is putting the needs of  others before your own needs.  It is a manifestation of the love of God within you. If another's behavior offends you, just let it go.  You do not know what they might be going through.  They may be distracted and having the worst day of their life.  St. Paul writes:

  

On a practical level humility could save your life.  Consider "road rage", significant anger and aggression behind the wheel .   Here is a list of behaviors  known to spark road rage:

• Tailgating 
• Yelling at another driver
• Honking to show annoyance or anger
• Making angry gestures at another driver
• Purposely blocking another vehicle from changing lanes 

Note that these are all behaviors in which we put ourselves before other drivers.

Here is some advice from AAA on how to avoid becoming a victim of road rage:

1. Don't offend. Avoid behaviors  that consistently upset other drivers such as tailgating, driving slowly in the left lane, cutting off other drivers, and making gestures
2. Don't engage.  Give angry drivers lots of room.  Don't make eye contact.  Call 911 if necessary. 
3. Adjust your attitude.  Forget winning - driving is not a contest. Keep your composure and don't take other drivers' actions personally.

When you drive, don't be aggressive, be humble.

I have come to believe that most of us do things that are thoughtless or aggresive because we become impatient and frustrated.   Humility would have us concentrate on the needs of others, not our own. 

Here is a prayer for humility:

Be patient.  Be humble.  Be kind.

God love you !

Easter 2016

Easter 2016:

.This past Sunday, March 27, 2016 was Easter Sunday, the most significant Holy Day on the Christian liturgical calander.   St. Paul tells us in 1Corinthians 15:14, "If Christ has not been raised then our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain."   The Resurrection is proof of Christ's Divinity!
Easter came a little earlier this year than last year.  The Council of Nicea in A.D. 325 set the formula for choosing which day to celebrate Easter each year.

Pope Francis pointed out that Easter is a time of hope.  Jesus by  His resurrection overcomes sin, suffering and death.  From this we make take hope for ourselves and for the world.  
Pope Francis tells us:
"To those in our society who have lost all hope and joy in life, to the elderly who struggle alone and feel their strength waning, to young people who seem to have no future, to all I once more address the words of the Risen One: “See, I am making all things new… To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life” (Rev 21:5-6).  May this comforting message of Jesus help each of us to set out anew with greater courage to blaze trails of reconciliation with God and with all our brothers and sisters."

So, go forward with hope in your heart.   Jesus has made all things new.  

Happy Easter!  

God Love You!

Seeing Christ in Others

Seeing Christ in Others:

I believe that as Christians we are called to see Christ in others, and also to be Christ for others.  

Jesus tells us "Love your neighbor as yourself.  Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."  It is easy to see Christ in the innocent face of a newborn baby, or  in the eyes of a beloved spouse, or in  the touch of an elderly parent.. It is not so easy to see Christ in people who make our lives difficult in one way or another.  

Catholic author and EWTN Television host Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle says, "I believe the only possible way we can discover Jesus in our "enemies" is through God's grace, and an effort on our part to act upon that grace, and further, to commit ourselves to finding Jesus in everyone.  This can only happen through prayer.  So, pray that God would give you the grace to see His son in others. 

Jesus said, "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat......"   Jesus is telling us that what we do for the least of His brethern, we do for Him.  So, in reaching out to others, or helping them, or just being kind to them, we do it for Jesus.  

Jesus resides in all of us.  He resides in even those who live worldly lives.  In many His presence in muted by their individual traits.  We need to work to see through their masks.  

Those of us who can allow His light to shine through us, allow others to see Him within us.

"Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty."  (Anne Herbert)

God love you!

Prosperity Gospel

Prosperity Gospel:

If you watch a preacher on television, you have probably been exposed to the Prosperity Gospel or  Prosperity  Theology.   These preachers may be very personable and preach a positive message  full of hope.  They may put on a program with high production values and help us feel good.  But, is it really Christianity?

Prosperity theology is a Christian religious doctrine that financial blessing is the will of God for Christians, and that faith, positive speech, and donations to Christian ministries will increase one's wealth.  Most churches in the prosperity movement are non-denominational and independent, though some have formed networks.  It is common for the pastor to be the highest organizational authority figure.  

Founders of the movement include Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, and Frederick K.C. Price.  The movement began to take hold in the 1970's and 1980's.  Today it is pretty mainstream.  Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas has a ministry that reaches 7 million viewers. 

Prosperity theology is based on non-traditional interpretations of the Bible, often with an emphasis on the Book of Malachi.  The doctrine views the Bible as a contract between God and humans.   If humans will have faith in God, He will deliver His promises of security and prosperity.   The doctrine emphasizes the importance of personal empowerment, proposing that it is God's will for His people to be happy.   Another key prosperity teaching is the "Positive Confession" or "Word of Faith", that teaches that a Christian with faith can speak into existence anything consistent with the will of God.  

Mainstream evangelicalism has consistently opposed prosperity theology as heresy.   Prosperity ministries have often come into conflict with the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.  Critics have argued that prosperity theology has little in common with traditional Christian theology.  

In the gospel of St. Matthew Jesus tells us,  "You cannot serve both God and money," and "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

Jesus was born poor and He died poor.  During His earthly tenure He spoke time and time again about the importance of spiritual wealth and health.  When He talked about material wealth, it was usually a cautionary tale. 

The Bible is full of good advice, that if followed will help you be successful.  That's not the point, though.  Jesus came to show us how to live a good life, not to get rich and happy.  Jesus by His death and Resurrection forgives our sins and conquers death that we may live forever with Him.

Think about it!

God love you!

Easter Thoughts for 2015

Easter Thoughts for 2015:

This Sunday, April 5, 2015 is Easter Sunday.   Christians celebrate the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ.  It is Easter, and not as many think Christmas, which is the most important feast on the Christian calender.   St. Paul tells us in 1Corinthians 15:14, "If Christ has not been raised then our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain."   The Resurrection is proof of Christ's Divinity!

Easter falls on a different Sunday each year.  The Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) set the date of Easter as the Sunday following the pascal full moon, which is the full moon that falls on or after the vernal (spring) equinox.   Western Christians use the Gregorian calender, that is currently used throughout the west, to calculate.  The Eastern Orhodox continue to use the older, but astronomically inaccurate, Julian calender.  This is why Easter is celebrated on different days in the Eastern and Western traditions.  

Resurrection Sunday is the festival and holyday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead described in the Bible as occuring 3 days after the crucifixion.   It is the culmination of the Passion of Christ, preceded by Lent, a 40 day period of fasting, prayer, and penance.   New converts are traditionally brought into the Church at the Easter Vigil service.  Eastertide in western Christianity begins Easter Sunday and lasts 7 weeks ending with the coming of the 50th day, Pentecost Sunday.   In Orthodoxy the season of Pascha begins on Pascha (Easter) and ends with the coming of the 40th day, the Feast of the Ascension.

Christians believe that through His death Christ destroyed our bondage to sin, and through His resurrection  he brought us the promise of new life both in Heaven and on Earth.   By His death and resurrection Christ conquers death so we may live forever with Him.  

It's ok to buy a new Easter bonnet and march in the Easter parade, if you want.  It's great to have a big Easter dinner with family to celebrate.  It's fun to give your kids a basket of candy and let them search for colored eggs, be they real or plastic with money in them.  Let's just not forget the reason for it all.  Be happy and thankful for what the Savior has done for us, and go forward with love in your heart. 

Happy Easter!

God love you!

Loving kindness

Loving kindness:

Here are just a few of the places the bible mentions "loving kindness":

Psalms 36:7:  How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 

Psalms 69:16:  Hear me O Lord; for thy loving kindness  is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. 

Isaiah 63:7:  I will mention the loving kindness of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.

So, what of "Loving kindness"?

Loving kindness is a specific kind of love conceptualized in various religious traditions, both among theologians and religious practitioners as a form of love characterized by acts of kindness.   The term is used often in the book of Psalms, and refers to acts of kindness motivated by love.  It is used primarily in reference to God rather than people. 

Loving kindness is an essential and distinctive quality of God.  The prophets taught that it should also characterize His people.  In Micah 6:8 we are told that God wants us "to be fair and just and merciful and to walk humbly with your God".  Then in Zechariah 7:9, "to be merciful and kind to everyone." The word "loving kindness" is not found in the New Testament, but as its equivalent we find "mercy", "goodness", and "brotherly love". I believe we are called to practice "random acts of kindness"  to those we know and to those we don't know.  We should look for opportunities to do this. 

 

The cultivation of benevolence is a popular form of meditation in Buddhism.   It is called "metta" or "metta bhavana" and is wishing all people loving kindness.   

To practice the loving-kindness meditation sit in a comfortable and relaxed position.  Take 2 or 3 deep breaths with slow, long, and complete exhalations.  Let go of any concerns or preoccupations.  For a few minutes feel or imagine the breath moving through the center of your chest - in the area of your heart.   Sitting quietly mentally repeat slowly and steadily the following phrases:

• May I be happy
• May I be at ease
• May I be safe
• May I be healthy
• May I be strong

The traditional approach is best known for identifying successive stages of meditation during which  one progressively cultivates benevolence towards:

1. oneself
2. a good friend
3. a "neutral" person
4. a difficult person
5. all 4 of the above
6. then gradually the entire universe

So, as Ellen DeGeneres would say, "Be kind to one another."

God love you!