|
Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, “Speak, for Thy servant heareth.” Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the
only sound will be the music of Thy speaking. Amen.
- A. W. Tozer
(Listen . . .
)
|
Lenten Webinar Series Four Conversions and Spiritual
Freedom by Carla Mae Streeter, OP March 6, 13, 20, 27, 2018 Free-will donation for registration and information.
|
DN 9:4B-10; PS 79:8, 9, 11 AND 13
LK 6:36-38
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
"Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not
be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you."
USCCB lectionary
|
Reflection on the Scripture |
"Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure pressed down,
shaken together, running over, will they pour into the fold of your garment. For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you." —Luke 6:38
In Jesus' time, most people worked the land as farmers. Modern farm mechanization didn't exist. Recall that people wore ankle-length robes at the time. The method of sowing seeds in Jesus' time was for each person to go to the
seedpile, grab the hem of their garment at the knees, and pull the garment up toward their waist. This created a "pocket," into which the landowner poured as much seed as the person and garment could hold. The person carried the seeds into the field and sowed them by hand until the "pocket" was empty of seed. Then he returned to the seedpile for the next load of seeds. This process was repeated daily until all fields were completely sown.
Jesus promised that those who give will receive in "good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over...[poured] into the fold of" their garment (Lk 6:38; see also Ru 3:15; Ps 23:5). This means that you who give to Jesus will receive even more work to do. However, you will be given more resources with which to serve Him, and your work will result in a great harvest, even a hundredfold one (Mk 4:20).
Jesus challenges each of us this Lent to work for Him more than ever before. His heart yearns for all to be saved and know the truth (1 Tm 2:4). He longs to gather His estranged children under His wings (Lk 13:34). Jesus says to all His disciples: "Listen to what I say: Open your eyes and see! The fields are shining for harvest!" (Jn 4:35) "Do whatever He tells you" (Jn 2:5).
Prayer: Jesus, "Here I am...send me!" (Is 6:8)
Promise: "Pardon, and you shall be pardoned." —Lk 6:37
Presentation Ministries
|
|
What is Christian Love? - Reprinted from Freedom from Codependency, by Philip St. Romain - What Is Love? -
The word love is used in many contexts. We speak of loving ice cream, being in love with another person, needing to feel loved, and so forth. Many languages use different words to describe different types of love. In English, however, we use the same word, love, to describe different experiences. This undoubtedly contributes to some confusion. For example, it is common to find people projecting the love their parents had for them onto God —as
though God were some kind of Super-Parent. What we believe about God is important, for these beliefs color our views of self, others, relationships, the world, and the meaning of life. In reflecting on the meaning of Christian love, we must say from the outset that Scripture equates the character of God with love. As Scripture puts it, “God is love,” and love is as mysterious and beyond definition as God.
|
Please support this outreach with a tax-deductible donation.
|
|
|
