"Before we begin, I have a confession to make. I don’t like Christian bumper stickers. And although I don’t really like them, I feel strangely compelled to read them. One I’ve seen recently said,
'This car is prayer-conditioned!'
Another one read, “God wants spiritual fruit- not religious nuts!”
One of the more interesting ones I’ve seen said,
'Read the Bible, It Will Scare the Hell Out of You!'
I've also noticed that these bumper stickers differ according to areas of the country. As some of you know my husband Derek and I will soon be moving south for the next season of our lives. And although Bill and Margaret Anne insist that the south is not as different as I may think, it was in the south that I saw the sticker,
'Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives.'
You don’t see too many of those in the parking lot of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church." . . .
"Friends, I want to share with you these words that Gene Bay gave to me at my ordination. He said, “My fear for you is not that you won’t do your best… My fear for you is that you will think your best is not good enough. And I am here to tell you this: it is."
The Rev. Tara Woodard-Lehman
Jesus Loves Mess, This I Know
preached at The Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church
Bryn Mawr, PA
June 5, 2005
Friday, June 24, 2005
Tolerance
"Tolerance in the hands of the left is not an end; it is a means to an end. They use the language of tolerance to marginalize the only religion that is sufficiently influential to play a major, culture-forming role in any given country, and then when that's done, they impose a different order that is far less tolerant than the one they destroyed.
There is no society in the history of the world that fails to hold to a basic religious creed and makes no moral distinctions. Any political propagandist who claims to want to embrace a concept of absolute tolerance is either a deceiver or deceived.
Tolerance is a battering ram to break down one order so that a different order can be built on the rubble."
Jerry Bowyer, www.crosswalk.com, quoted in the Philadelphia Inquirer, June 22, 2005
There is no society in the history of the world that fails to hold to a basic religious creed and makes no moral distinctions. Any political propagandist who claims to want to embrace a concept of absolute tolerance is either a deceiver or deceived.
Tolerance is a battering ram to break down one order so that a different order can be built on the rubble."
Jerry Bowyer, www.crosswalk.com, quoted in the Philadelphia Inquirer, June 22, 2005
Negotiating
I'm Baptist. The difference between a Baptist and a terrorist, is that you can negotiate with a terrorist. (laughter)
Dr. Tony Campolo: June 12, 2005: God's Revolution and Your Responsibility (audio)
http://www.bmpc.org/Sermons/Sermon%20Directory.htm
Dr. Tony Campolo: June 12, 2005: God's Revolution and Your Responsibility (audio)
http://www.bmpc.org/Sermons/Sermon%20Directory.htm
Friday, June 17, 2005
Attributes of a "Beach Read"
"There is a category of books known as "Beach Reads," defined as being superficial yet engrossing. Typically, beach reads incorporate at least four of these five attributes:
a. Espionage and/or Illegal Drug Trade;
b. Sex;
c. Famous, Wealthy, (or at least Astonishingly Good-Looking) People;
d. Murder and mayhem;
e. Exotic Locale.
Nowadays, we've noticed, they also often include descriptions of food.
a. Espionage and/or Illegal Drug Trade;
b. Sex;
c. Famous, Wealthy, (or at least Astonishingly Good-Looking) People;
d. Murder and mayhem;
e. Exotic Locale.
Nowadays, we've noticed, they also often include descriptions of food.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Breeding Resentment Instead of Fostering Public Sympathy
John Grogan, Philadelphia Inquirer, May 30, 2005:
regarding a mother who took fertility drugs, had six babies she and her husband "could not support," and asked "taxpayers to foot the bill for a Medicaid home nurse to help":
"When I interviewed the mother, she radiated a sense of entitlement and inflexibility, prompting other mothers across the region to scold in surround sound: You made your decision, now live with it.
Many used the same expression: 'Start taking responsibility for your own actions.'
That's all fine and good -- except that six innocent and defenseless children hang in the balance. . . .
[She] is asking [for help] -- admittedly in a clumsy, ham-fisted way that sounds self-serving and breeds resentment instead of compassion -- but asking nonetheless. . . .
Do we punish the . . . children because their parents are not more skilled at fostering public sympathy?
And if something terrible were to happen, what would we say then? Oh, I guess they really did need help. . . .
[Her] request to have Medicaid continue to provide a skilled home nurse for another year is ridiculous. The once-fragile chldren are now robust; they do not need a nurse. Besides, [she] is a registered nurse herself.
But the harried mother definitely needs a helper or two. Or three. . . ."
regarding a mother who took fertility drugs, had six babies she and her husband "could not support," and asked "taxpayers to foot the bill for a Medicaid home nurse to help":
"When I interviewed the mother, she radiated a sense of entitlement and inflexibility, prompting other mothers across the region to scold in surround sound: You made your decision, now live with it.
Many used the same expression: 'Start taking responsibility for your own actions.'
That's all fine and good -- except that six innocent and defenseless children hang in the balance. . . .
[She] is asking [for help] -- admittedly in a clumsy, ham-fisted way that sounds self-serving and breeds resentment instead of compassion -- but asking nonetheless. . . .
Do we punish the . . . children because their parents are not more skilled at fostering public sympathy?
And if something terrible were to happen, what would we say then? Oh, I guess they really did need help. . . .
[Her] request to have Medicaid continue to provide a skilled home nurse for another year is ridiculous. The once-fragile chldren are now robust; they do not need a nurse. Besides, [she] is a registered nurse herself.
But the harried mother definitely needs a helper or two. Or three. . . ."
Props in Your Little Life Play
Carolyn Hax, June 2, 2005:
"the obvious moral/emotional bankruptcy of treating people as props in your little life play"
"the obvious moral/emotional bankruptcy of treating people as props in your little life play"
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
"Go home and love someone."
Upon receiving the Nobel prize, Mother Teresa was asked:
"What can one ordinary person do to promote world peace?"
She replied: "Go home and love someone."
Love without measure, one day at a time, the one person who is before you at any one moment.
http://www.saintmarkpresby.org/pagepastmeditations.htm
"What can one ordinary person do to promote world peace?"
She replied: "Go home and love someone."
Love without measure, one day at a time, the one person who is before you at any one moment.
http://www.saintmarkpresby.org/pagepastmeditations.htm
Courage & Sleep
"Where shall I find courage?" asked Frodo, "for that is what I chiefly need now."
"Courage is found in unlikely places," said Gildor. "Be of good hope! and for now get some sleep."
From The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
"Courage is found in unlikely places," said Gildor. "Be of good hope! and for now get some sleep."
From The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Truth wounds, cynicism kills
Quotes from Warren Buffet Speaks by Janet Lowe
"Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken."
Warren Buffet
Frinedship: "I remember asking that question of a woman who had survived Auschwitz. She said her test was, 'would they hide me?'"
Warren Buffet
"Truth wounds, cynicism kills."
Barron's columnist Alan Abelson, p. 139
"The first step to recovery is to stop doing the wrong thing."
Warren Buffet, p. 144
"Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken."
Warren Buffet
Frinedship: "I remember asking that question of a woman who had survived Auschwitz. She said her test was, 'would they hide me?'"
Warren Buffet
"Truth wounds, cynicism kills."
Barron's columnist Alan Abelson, p. 139
"The first step to recovery is to stop doing the wrong thing."
Warren Buffet, p. 144
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Mother Theresa: not "a comfortable and insignificant mediocrity"
“The church of God needs saints today,” she once said. “This imposes a great responsibility on us sisters, to fight against our own ego and love of comfort that leads us to choose a comfortable and insignificant mediocrity.... We are called upon to be warriors in saris, for the church needs fighters today. Our war cry has to be ‘fight –- not flight.’”
~ Mother Theresa
~ Mother Theresa
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Occupation With Trivialities
Lenten Prayer
http://www.annunciation-church.org/Documents/APRIL_2005_MESSAGE.pdf
The "appropriate hymn" of piety which we are urged to repeat many times during our struggles of Lent, and moreover, while prostrating is the prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian:
"Lord and Master of my life, do not give me a spirit of
idleness,
curiosity,
lust of power and
occupation with trivialities.
Instead, give me, your servant, a spirit of
prudence,
humility,
patience and
love.
Yes, Lord, make me able to see my own faults
and not judge my brother,
for You are blessed in the ages of ages.
Amen."
http://www.annunciation-church.org/Documents/APRIL_2005_MESSAGE.pdf
The "appropriate hymn" of piety which we are urged to repeat many times during our struggles of Lent, and moreover, while prostrating is the prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian:
"Lord and Master of my life, do not give me a spirit of
idleness,
curiosity,
lust of power and
occupation with trivialities.
Instead, give me, your servant, a spirit of
prudence,
humility,
patience and
love.
Yes, Lord, make me able to see my own faults
and not judge my brother,
for You are blessed in the ages of ages.
Amen."
Having Not Promised That Day Away
Renee Zellweger:
Zellweger plans to take a break from acting after completing current projects The Cinderella Man, about Depression-era boxer Jim Braddock, and Janis Joplin biopic Piece of My Heart.
"A lot of projects I had been following for a long time seemed to have all surfaced at once," she told reporters.
"I have never felt that drive to keep going and going until I achieve something that I can feel comfortable with.
"Most of the experiences I have had over the last seven years have been while imitating someone else.
"I need to find out as a woman now what I would do each day, and what I would learn, having not promised that day away for professional objectives."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3982089.stm
Monday, 8 November, 2004
Zellweger plans to take a break from acting after completing current projects The Cinderella Man, about Depression-era boxer Jim Braddock, and Janis Joplin biopic Piece of My Heart.
"A lot of projects I had been following for a long time seemed to have all surfaced at once," she told reporters.
"I have never felt that drive to keep going and going until I achieve something that I can feel comfortable with.
"Most of the experiences I have had over the last seven years have been while imitating someone else.
"I need to find out as a woman now what I would do each day, and what I would learn, having not promised that day away for professional objectives."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3982089.stm
Monday, 8 November, 2004
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Chinese Fortune Cookie Messages, Spring 2005
These are my Chinese Fortune Cookie Messages from Spring, 2005. They were prophetic.
It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win
that makes a difference.
Your talents will be recognized and suitably rewarded.
Your lover will never wish to leave.
A golden egg of opportunity falls into your lap this month.
Good to begin well, better to end well.
Love is the glue that holds together everything in the world.
Nothing in the world is difficult if one sets his mind to it.
This is a good time to consider formally helping others.
A single kind word will keep one warm for years.
Everywhere you choose to go, friendly faces will greet you.
You are never selfish with your advice or your help.
Your ideals are well within your reach.
You are a perfectionist. Don't spoil it.
It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win
that makes a difference.
Your talents will be recognized and suitably rewarded.
Your lover will never wish to leave.
A golden egg of opportunity falls into your lap this month.
Good to begin well, better to end well.
Love is the glue that holds together everything in the world.
Nothing in the world is difficult if one sets his mind to it.
This is a good time to consider formally helping others.
A single kind word will keep one warm for years.
Everywhere you choose to go, friendly faces will greet you.
You are never selfish with your advice or your help.
Your ideals are well within your reach.
You are a perfectionist. Don't spoil it.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
The Paradox of Grace and Truth
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:14
So God is calling us to be and become joyfully evangelical and intentionally multi-cultural. Which means we are also being called to be purposely paradoxical. I have shared before with this group my delight in the dilemma that John gives us when he proclaims that Jesus, as the Word Become Flesh, is full of both Grace and Truth. This stands as one of the great paradoxes of our paradoxical God. Grace is utterly free and utterly welcoming. But Truth sets limits and demands accountability. And God calls us to live and breathe and honor this tension in our lives.
Jesus loves children and touches bleeding women and eats with sinners and weeps when he sees the broken-ness of Jerusalem. But he also turns over tables of materialism, rails at liars and hypocrites and calls us a brood of vipers when we fail to honor covenant God. forgives the prodigal unconditionally, but then separates the selfless sheep from the greedy goats at the moment of judgment. Yes, graceful truth and truthful grace is the great paradox of our faith - a faith that is both radically free and rigorously accountable.
~ Susan Andrews, November 2003
Moderator of the 215th General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA)
~ John 1:14
So God is calling us to be and become joyfully evangelical and intentionally multi-cultural. Which means we are also being called to be purposely paradoxical. I have shared before with this group my delight in the dilemma that John gives us when he proclaims that Jesus, as the Word Become Flesh, is full of both Grace and Truth. This stands as one of the great paradoxes of our paradoxical God. Grace is utterly free and utterly welcoming. But Truth sets limits and demands accountability. And God calls us to live and breathe and honor this tension in our lives.
Jesus loves children and touches bleeding women and eats with sinners and weeps when he sees the broken-ness of Jerusalem. But he also turns over tables of materialism, rails at liars and hypocrites and calls us a brood of vipers when we fail to honor covenant God. forgives the prodigal unconditionally, but then separates the selfless sheep from the greedy goats at the moment of judgment. Yes, graceful truth and truthful grace is the great paradox of our faith - a faith that is both radically free and rigorously accountable.
~ Susan Andrews, November 2003
Moderator of the 215th General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA)
In righteousness you shall be established
1 Sing, O barren one who did not bear; burst into song and shout, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate woman will be more than the children of her that is married, says the LORD.
2 Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will possess the nations and will settle the desolate towns.
4 Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more.
5 For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.
6 For the LORD has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like the wife of a man's youth when she is cast off, says your God.
7 For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you.
8 In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the LORD, your Redeemer.
9 This is like the days of Noah to me: Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you.
10 For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
11 O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, I am about to set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of jewels, and all your wall of precious stones.
13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the prosperity of your children.
14 In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
15 If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you.
16 See it is I who have created the smith who blows the fire of coals, and produces a weapon fit for its purpose; I have also created the ravager to destroy.
17 No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, says the LORD.
Isaiah 54:1-17
Even to them I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 56:5
2 Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will possess the nations and will settle the desolate towns.
4 Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more.
5 For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.
6 For the LORD has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like the wife of a man's youth when she is cast off, says your God.
7 For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you.
8 In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the LORD, your Redeemer.
9 This is like the days of Noah to me: Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you.
10 For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
11 O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, I am about to set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of jewels, and all your wall of precious stones.
13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the prosperity of your children.
14 In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
15 If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you.
16 See it is I who have created the smith who blows the fire of coals, and produces a weapon fit for its purpose; I have also created the ravager to destroy.
17 No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, says the LORD.
Isaiah 54:1-17
Even to them I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 56:5
Monday, April 25, 2005
Follow Me, even at 78
Pope 'prayed not to be elected'
"Speaking in his native German, Benedict told the audience that during the conclave, or papal election, when it became clear he was getting many votes, a cardinal passed him a note reminding him what he had preached about Christ calling Peter to follow him even if he was reluctant to go.
Benedict, 78, said he hoped to spend his last years living quietly and peacefully.
"At a certain point, I prayed to God 'please don't do this to me,"' he recalled. "Evidently, this time He didn't listen to me."
Benedict was elected pope on April 19 after four rounds of balloting in 24 hours, one of the fastest elections in a century. He had gone in as a leading candidate, but at 78 he was considered old to be named pope. . . .
One question Vatican watchers are asking is if the 78-year-old pope will keep up John Paul's world-spanning travel. U.S. Cardinal Justin Rigali, the archbishop of Philadelphia, said he was confident the pontiff would rise to the challenge.
"We are very impressed by his extraordinary energy," Rigali told CNN."
CNN World, Monday, April 25, 2005
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/
04/25/pope.monday/index.html
"Speaking in his native German, Benedict told the audience that during the conclave, or papal election, when it became clear he was getting many votes, a cardinal passed him a note reminding him what he had preached about Christ calling Peter to follow him even if he was reluctant to go.
Benedict, 78, said he hoped to spend his last years living quietly and peacefully.
"At a certain point, I prayed to God 'please don't do this to me,"' he recalled. "Evidently, this time He didn't listen to me."
Benedict was elected pope on April 19 after four rounds of balloting in 24 hours, one of the fastest elections in a century. He had gone in as a leading candidate, but at 78 he was considered old to be named pope. . . .
One question Vatican watchers are asking is if the 78-year-old pope will keep up John Paul's world-spanning travel. U.S. Cardinal Justin Rigali, the archbishop of Philadelphia, said he was confident the pontiff would rise to the challenge.
"We are very impressed by his extraordinary energy," Rigali told CNN."
CNN World, Monday, April 25, 2005
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/
04/25/pope.monday/index.html
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Do not be afraid of Christ!
"Those who believe are never alone -- neither in life nor in death. . . .
All of you, my dear friends, have just invoked the entire host of Saints, represented by some of the great names in the history of God's dealings with mankind. In this way, I too can say with renewed conviction: I am not alone. I do not have to carry alone what in truth I could never carry alone. All the Saints of God are there to protect me, to sustain me and to carry me. And your prayers, my dear friends, your indulgence, your love, your faith and your hope accompany me. . . .
The Church is alive -- with these words, I greet with great joy and gratitude all of you gathered here. . .
My real programme of governance is not to do my own will, not to pursue my own ideas, but to listen, together with the whole Church, to the word and the will of the Lord, to be guided by Him, so that He himself will lead the Church at this hour of our history.
God, who became a lamb, tells us that the world is saved by the Crucified One, not by those who crucified him. The world is redeemed by the patience of God. It is destroyed by the impatience of man.One of the basic characteristics of a shepherd must be to love the people entrusted to him, even as he loves Christ whom he serves. "Feed my sheep", says Christ to Peter, and now, at this moment, he says it to me as well. Feeding means loving, and loving also means being ready to suffer.Loving means giving the sheep what is truly good, the nourishment of God's truth, of God's word, the nourishment of his presence, which he gives us in the Blessed Sacrament. . . .
Pray for me, that I may learn to love his flock more and more -- in other words, you, the holy Church, each one of you and all of you together. Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves. Let us pray for one another, that the Lord will carry us and that we will learn to carry one another.
At this point, my mind goes back to 22 October 1978, when Pope John Paul II began his ministry here in Saint Peter's Square. His words on that occasion constantly echo in my ears: "Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ!" The pope was addressing the mighty, the powerful of this world, who feared that Christ might take away something of their power if they were to let him in, if they were to allow the faith to be free. Yes, he would certainly have taken something away from them: the dominion of corruption, the manipulation of law and the freedom to do as they pleased. But he would not have taken away anything that pertains to human freedom or dignity, or to the building of a just society.
The pope was also speaking to everyone, especially the young. Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us? Are we not perhaps afraid to give up something significant, something unique, something that makes life so beautiful? Do we not then risk ending up diminished and deprived of our freedom?
And once again the Pope said: No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation.
And so, today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ -- and you will find true life. Amen."
~ from the text of Pope Benedict XVI's homily as he was installed at an open-air Mass outside St. Peter's Basilica, April 24, 2005
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/
04/24/pope.homily/index.html
All of you, my dear friends, have just invoked the entire host of Saints, represented by some of the great names in the history of God's dealings with mankind. In this way, I too can say with renewed conviction: I am not alone. I do not have to carry alone what in truth I could never carry alone. All the Saints of God are there to protect me, to sustain me and to carry me. And your prayers, my dear friends, your indulgence, your love, your faith and your hope accompany me. . . .
The Church is alive -- with these words, I greet with great joy and gratitude all of you gathered here. . .
My real programme of governance is not to do my own will, not to pursue my own ideas, but to listen, together with the whole Church, to the word and the will of the Lord, to be guided by Him, so that He himself will lead the Church at this hour of our history.
God, who became a lamb, tells us that the world is saved by the Crucified One, not by those who crucified him. The world is redeemed by the patience of God. It is destroyed by the impatience of man.One of the basic characteristics of a shepherd must be to love the people entrusted to him, even as he loves Christ whom he serves. "Feed my sheep", says Christ to Peter, and now, at this moment, he says it to me as well. Feeding means loving, and loving also means being ready to suffer.Loving means giving the sheep what is truly good, the nourishment of God's truth, of God's word, the nourishment of his presence, which he gives us in the Blessed Sacrament. . . .
Pray for me, that I may learn to love his flock more and more -- in other words, you, the holy Church, each one of you and all of you together. Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves. Let us pray for one another, that the Lord will carry us and that we will learn to carry one another.
At this point, my mind goes back to 22 October 1978, when Pope John Paul II began his ministry here in Saint Peter's Square. His words on that occasion constantly echo in my ears: "Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ!" The pope was addressing the mighty, the powerful of this world, who feared that Christ might take away something of their power if they were to let him in, if they were to allow the faith to be free. Yes, he would certainly have taken something away from them: the dominion of corruption, the manipulation of law and the freedom to do as they pleased. But he would not have taken away anything that pertains to human freedom or dignity, or to the building of a just society.
The pope was also speaking to everyone, especially the young. Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us? Are we not perhaps afraid to give up something significant, something unique, something that makes life so beautiful? Do we not then risk ending up diminished and deprived of our freedom?
And once again the Pope said: No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation.
And so, today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ -- and you will find true life. Amen."
~ from the text of Pope Benedict XVI's homily as he was installed at an open-air Mass outside St. Peter's Basilica, April 24, 2005
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/
04/24/pope.homily/index.html
Deaf, Mute and Preferably Blind
"It's very difficult to be the president of the entire nation unless you're willing to be deaf, mute and preferably blind."
~ Former Israeli President Ezer Weizman
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/
04/24/obit.weizman.ap/index.html 4/24/05
The Truth Will Make You Free
"Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him,
'If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples;
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'"
~ Jesus Christ, John 8:31-32
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Live Inside That Hope of Elementary Kindness
"The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for.
And the most you can do is live inside that hope ...
live right inside it, under its roof.
What I want is so simple I almost can't say it: elementary kindness.
Enough to eat, enough to go around.
The possibility that kids might one day grow up to be
neither the destroyers nor the destroyed.
Right now I'm living in that hope, running down its hallway
and touching the walls on both sides."
~ Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams
And the most you can do is live inside that hope ...
live right inside it, under its roof.
What I want is so simple I almost can't say it: elementary kindness.
Enough to eat, enough to go around.
The possibility that kids might one day grow up to be
neither the destroyers nor the destroyed.
Right now I'm living in that hope, running down its hallway
and touching the walls on both sides."
~ Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams
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