Christianity became the greatest moral and political revolution in the history of the human race. It . . . preached the equality of human souls--the true basis for all other equalities, political, social and economic.
- Otto Rank -
(The immeasurable value of the individual person is at the cornerstone of Christian moral theology. How does this principle influence your own thinking?)
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Webinar on Can a Christian Believe in Evolution? by Philip St. Romain
August 13, 2020: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
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IS 26:7-9, 12, 16-19; Ps 102:13-21
MT 11:28-30
Jesus said:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Shalom Place Covid-19 resource page
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Reflection on the Scriptures |
Clearly this is a time in my life that I truly need Him more than ever. Yet, I am weary, so weary – physically, emotionally, spiritually weary – the world seems almost surreal. I can sit in my home (basically 24/7) and it may not seem so different. When I do venture out, the world is not what it once was. There are GREAT changes, for example the traffic is
significantly decreased; and everything looks cleaner. However, the eeriness of it all -- the empty parking lots, airports with hardly a person moving about, many closed signs, live streamed masses with only spiritual communion and no gestures for the sign of peace, only masked strangers moving about – no smiles can be seen, it makes my heart break. The few times that I’m in the office and others are there, we can chat – as long as we are six feet apart and wearing our masks –
no hugs, no smiles, not even a handshake. There is a sense of isolation even if we are near people. I know that I am one of the lucky ones that does get to see people and be in some proximity. I do get hugs from my granddaughter and daughter. So how do I fill this void, how do I take that yoke and learn? It may seem strange that at this point in my life, I haven’t figured it out. I thought I had . . . .
When I look at it logically, some of the answers are clearer. God has not moved away, I have! I have let this crazy world dictate to me. I can pray more; I can find quiet time away from emails and Zoom meetings – all of this is within my abilities and desires. Why are my feet stuck in such clay? Writing the reflection demands that I stop and, indeed, reflect.
I am reminded that I am a loved sinner. I have feet of clay, I make many mistakes and no matter what, I am still loved. I am loved by someone willing to take my burdens, to teach me, to allow me to share the yoke with Him and find rest. I need to find refreshment for my soul.
- by Nancy Shirley
Revelations of Divine Love
- by Julian of Norwich
Sixteenth Revelation, Chapter 77
"Accuse not thyself overmuch, deeming that thy tribulation and thy woe is all thy fault."
"All thy living is penance profitable."
"In the remedy He willeth that we rejoice"
Flee we to our Lord and we shall be comforted, touch we Him and we shall be made clean, cleave we to Him and we shall be sure, and safe from all manner of peril. For our courteous Lord willeth that we should be as homely with Him as heart may think or soul may desire. But [let us] beware that we take not so recklessly this homeliness as to leave
courtesy. For our Lord Himself is sovereign homeliness, and as homely as He is, so courteous He is: for He is very courteous. And the blessed creatures that shall be in heaven with Him without end, He will have them like to Himself in all things. And to be like our Lord perfectly, it is our very salvation and our full bliss. And if we wot not how we shall do all this, desire we of our Lord and He shall teach us: for it is His own good-pleasure and His worship; blessed may He
be!
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