|
This blessed friend is Jesus; it is his will and plan that we hang on to him, and hold tight always, in whatever circumstances; for whether we are filthy or clean is all the same to his love.
- Juliana of Norwich
|
|
|
1 Cor 15:12-20; Ps 17:1, 6-7, 8b and 15;
Lk
8:1-3
Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another,
preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Joanna, the wife
of Herod’s steward Chuza,
Susanna, and many others
who provided for them out of their resources.
USCCB Lectionary
|
|
|
Luke 8: 1-3 (Jesus and the women)
“It is one of the supreme achievements of Jesus that he can enable the most diverse people to live together without in the least losing their own personalities or qualities,” William Barclay
wrote. The group of women who followed Jesus are certainly a diverse band! But they share a common bond in their love for Jesus and their commitment to serve him out of their own meager resources.
* Do you find it difficult to establish friendships with people of opposite views? Why? Why not?
* Do you believe community is
richer for including a diversity of people? Does your community include that diversity?
Paperback, Kindle
|
|
|
|
|
The Way of Perfection, by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Speaks of the fear of God and of how we must keep ourselves from venial sins.
Another source of harm is this: we may judge others unfavourably, though they may be holier than ourselves, because they do not walk as we do, but, in order to profit their neighbours, talk freely and without
restraint. You think such people are imperfect; and if they are good and yet at the same time of a lively disposition, you think them dissolute. This is especially true of those of us who are unlearned and are not sure what we can speak about without committing sin. It is a very dangerous state of mind, leading to great uneasiness and to continual temptation, because it is unfair to our neighbour. It is very wrong to think that everyone who does not follow in your own timorous footsteps has
something the matter with her. Another danger is that, when it is your duty to speak, and right that you should speak, you may not dare to do so lest you say too much and may perhaps speak well of things that you ought to hate.
- Chapter 41 (Keep in mind that she is writing to
sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.)
Paperback, Kindle
|
|
|
|
|
|
