In darkness shines
a lone light of faith,
and through the emptiness,
He comes to fullness in prayer.
Tears, my drink,
A heavy heart, my food:
These are His joy,
and His joy becomes mine.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Lent
In darkness shines
a lone light of faith,
and through the emptiness,
He comes to fullness in prayer.
Tears, my drink,
A heavy heart, my food:
These are His joy,
and His joy becomes mine.
Spend a Day
Spend a day before God,
and what becomes of fear,
what becomes of pride?
Spend a day before God,
and what becomes of love,
and what of humility, too?
Spend a day before God,
and the talk between the two
that make the whole
is less a groan or mumbled breath,
and more an awakening,
a condition of the soul.
and what becomes of fear,
what becomes of pride?
Spend a day before God,
and what becomes of love,
and what of humility, too?
Spend a day before God,
and the talk between the two
that make the whole
is less a groan or mumbled breath,
and more an awakening,
a condition of the soul.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
The Kingdom of God - Money and Possessions
By Thomas Morehead
Jesus taught us that we cannot have two masters. If we attempt to do so we will despise one and love the other. This admonition is found in Matthew Chapter 6 and Luke Chapter 16 and is followed by these words; “You cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt 6 24b: Lk 16 13b). We have commonly interpreted Mammon to mean Riches. It is this context which I want to address today.
Jesus invites everyone to live in God’s Kingdom. This Kingdom is on earth! It is not only the heavenly Kingdom to which we all aspire. It is a Kingdom here and now. If we do not live in God’s Kingdom while on earth, we will not enter God’s heavenly Kingdom.
W. C. Fields was an atheist. He lived his entire life with the belief that there was no God, no higher power to which he owed any type of allegiance. He made no secret of his feelings and often scoffed at those that practiced their faith. Near death a friend came to visit him and was astounded to discover that he was reading the bible. When asked what he was doing Fields replied, “I’m looking for loopholes.” Let’s pray that he converted and now rests with Christ. The point though is that God wants us in His Kingdom for the entirety of ours lives. He doesn’t desire an eleventh hour conversion. And remember the bumper sticker that says ‘Those who are waiting for an Eleventh hour conversion may die at 10:30!’
At baptism we are charged with building God’s Kingdom. We live our life either doing so or tearing it down. God’s Kingdom is here! Jesus established it! What we do expands that Kingdom, or it doesn’t.
To actively build God’s Kingdom we must dedicate ourselves to Christ. We must make Him our purpose for being. When I wrote about Discipleship I touched on issues such as counting the cost before we begin our journey and that we must allow nothing to stand in our path as we follow Jesus. Nothing can stand in our path. To enter God’s Kingdom we must become as a child, innocent and helpless totally reliant on God. If we choose to rely on our abilities and accomplishments we will not enter the Kingdom of God! Take a moment and read Mt 6 25:34. To do as Jesus instructs requires great faith. We have to believe that God will provide.
When the rich man approached Jesus he asked what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus replied “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor you father and your mother; and ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself’.” (Mt 19 18b:19) The man replied that he had done all of these and then asked what he still lacked. Jesus responded by telling him to sell what he had, give to the poor, and then come follow Me.
We’ve tended to water down this powerful passage over the years, especially in the US where possessions are so plentiful and success has been defined by the wealth one has accumulated. Take a look at Lk 6 20b. Jesus said “Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.” God’s Kingdom belongs to the poor! Time and again throughout the gospel Jesus sides with the poor, the marginalized of society. Remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus, upon his death, was carried to the bosom of Abraham but when he died the rich man went to the netherworld where he was tormented. We are told of no sin that the rich man committed. All we are told is that he neglected to share with the beggar at his door step. This excluded him from God’s eternal Kingdom. The poor are reliant on God. They have no false sense of accomplishment. They place their faith in God. Jesus believed that most rich people placed their faith in their possessions and paid tribute to God.
I know what some people are thinking right about now. “Look, I give to parish every Sunday and the missions when they have special offerings. Not to mention the volunteer work I do at the fish fries and the picnic. Besides I work hard for what I have.” All of that may very well be true. But my question would be, “So what?” Everything we have and everything we do is God’s. We own nothing. We are stewards! Left in charge to increase the Masters Kingdom. Do you remember the parable of talents? We are obliged to increase God’s Kingdom, not our own wealth or comfort.
Being honest with oneself may be one of the most difficult tasks we face. But we must face it. Head on! The members of the early church shared all things in common and nobody was in want! Why with such abundance today are there so many in need? How are we going to answer that question when Jesus asks?
What master do you serve?
Jesus taught us that we cannot have two masters. If we attempt to do so we will despise one and love the other. This admonition is found in Matthew Chapter 6 and Luke Chapter 16 and is followed by these words; “You cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt 6 24b: Lk 16 13b). We have commonly interpreted Mammon to mean Riches. It is this context which I want to address today.
Jesus invites everyone to live in God’s Kingdom. This Kingdom is on earth! It is not only the heavenly Kingdom to which we all aspire. It is a Kingdom here and now. If we do not live in God’s Kingdom while on earth, we will not enter God’s heavenly Kingdom.
W. C. Fields was an atheist. He lived his entire life with the belief that there was no God, no higher power to which he owed any type of allegiance. He made no secret of his feelings and often scoffed at those that practiced their faith. Near death a friend came to visit him and was astounded to discover that he was reading the bible. When asked what he was doing Fields replied, “I’m looking for loopholes.” Let’s pray that he converted and now rests with Christ. The point though is that God wants us in His Kingdom for the entirety of ours lives. He doesn’t desire an eleventh hour conversion. And remember the bumper sticker that says ‘Those who are waiting for an Eleventh hour conversion may die at 10:30!’
At baptism we are charged with building God’s Kingdom. We live our life either doing so or tearing it down. God’s Kingdom is here! Jesus established it! What we do expands that Kingdom, or it doesn’t.
To actively build God’s Kingdom we must dedicate ourselves to Christ. We must make Him our purpose for being. When I wrote about Discipleship I touched on issues such as counting the cost before we begin our journey and that we must allow nothing to stand in our path as we follow Jesus. Nothing can stand in our path. To enter God’s Kingdom we must become as a child, innocent and helpless totally reliant on God. If we choose to rely on our abilities and accomplishments we will not enter the Kingdom of God! Take a moment and read Mt 6 25:34. To do as Jesus instructs requires great faith. We have to believe that God will provide.
When the rich man approached Jesus he asked what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus replied “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor you father and your mother; and ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself’.” (Mt 19 18b:19) The man replied that he had done all of these and then asked what he still lacked. Jesus responded by telling him to sell what he had, give to the poor, and then come follow Me.
We’ve tended to water down this powerful passage over the years, especially in the US where possessions are so plentiful and success has been defined by the wealth one has accumulated. Take a look at Lk 6 20b. Jesus said “Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.” God’s Kingdom belongs to the poor! Time and again throughout the gospel Jesus sides with the poor, the marginalized of society. Remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus, upon his death, was carried to the bosom of Abraham but when he died the rich man went to the netherworld where he was tormented. We are told of no sin that the rich man committed. All we are told is that he neglected to share with the beggar at his door step. This excluded him from God’s eternal Kingdom. The poor are reliant on God. They have no false sense of accomplishment. They place their faith in God. Jesus believed that most rich people placed their faith in their possessions and paid tribute to God.
I know what some people are thinking right about now. “Look, I give to parish every Sunday and the missions when they have special offerings. Not to mention the volunteer work I do at the fish fries and the picnic. Besides I work hard for what I have.” All of that may very well be true. But my question would be, “So what?” Everything we have and everything we do is God’s. We own nothing. We are stewards! Left in charge to increase the Masters Kingdom. Do you remember the parable of talents? We are obliged to increase God’s Kingdom, not our own wealth or comfort.
Being honest with oneself may be one of the most difficult tasks we face. But we must face it. Head on! The members of the early church shared all things in common and nobody was in want! Why with such abundance today are there so many in need? How are we going to answer that question when Jesus asks?
What master do you serve?
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