One way to approach this question would be by examining the four canonical gospels. The interaction between Jesus and the Jews of his day reveals the use of Jewish hermeneutical patterns and principles.
The article deserves to be longer, but we won't complain with what we got.
This weekend, I needed a notebook. So I went to the office and pulled one off the bookshelf. I got to looking through it and found a list I had started. We were at an event 2 years ago, and we were challenged to come up with our top 100 things we want to do in our lifetime. Micah and I each started one, but only got to #30 or so. Then I saw A Walk To Remember last night on TV, and she has a similar list. So I figured I would finish my list for this week’s Thursday’s Things! So, in no particular order, here goes!
From DIL Val. Good list.
political correctness—the willful, often enforced closing of minds to inconvenient topics and perspectives.
via claremont.org
And quite a fine article on Moynihan as well, deserving of your consideration, at the link above.
Novena to the Sacred Heart (Never known to fail.)
“Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past I have asked you for favours. This time I ask you for this special favour _________ (insert your request here) ______________. Take it dear Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour not mine. Amen”
Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favour will be granted.
The prayer above was taken from this Tuesday’s edition of the Connacht Sentinel. While the words are beautiful, I would entreat my Catholic friends, or others who pray according to prewritten texts like this, to re-examine their reasons for doing so. The Biblical picture of prayer is a pouring out of one’s soul before God (see Psalm 42:4). There is no Biblical example of a formulaic prayer, for which success is guaranteed following a set number of repetitions, as in the novena above. Jesus told his followers, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions” (Matthew 6:7a).
via galwaychurch.org
This prophet is to be a deliverer. Like Moses, he was to bring a people out of bondage. Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, through Canaan, and to the Promised Land. Jesus is the deliverer of mankind. He delivers those who follow him out of sin, through life, and into heaven.
The typology has long been recognized. Egypt is a type of sin, Canaan is a type of life, the Jordan River is a type of death, and Canaan is a type of heaven. Unlike Moses, Jesus will lead His disciples into heaven itself. He is the great deliverer, yet, he is far more, He is the only way to eternal life (Acts 4:12).
The author lists points of comparison between Moses and Jesus. A worthy read.
What did the Lord see when he looked at Matthew? Perhaps He saw a man who was willing to pay the price. Paying the price is always easier to say in concept than live by experience. Yet it is one of those philosophies of life that one must be sure to understand (Matthew 16:21-26). Shortly after I arrived on Guam (1984) I struck up a friendship with another fellow. It was not long before he and I had our differences. Those differences were magnified by him in his criticisms of me. Did he see a lamp hanging down from my wagon that he criticized me or did I put that light out? This is a challenge that each of us have. Will we see the Lord’s light or will we not? We all have to pay a price when we place a higher value on something than we previously did. I placed a higher value on the Lord and the price I paid, though not as great as many, was still a price paid. When the Lord’s teachings reside in the heart of a person there is bound to be a life changed. It is said that when a woman resides in the heart of a man he does funny things. Well, when the Lord resides in the heart of a person that person does not do funny things, but he (she) does righteous things.
Ron Thomas reflects on what the Lord saw in Matthew. A man willing to give it all up for the call.
Is it too much to read–between–the–lines and wonder if Peter was not widening his appreciation and deepening his understanding of the Savior who promised He would be lifted up and “draw all men unto Me?” (cf. John 3:14-16). Jesus received tax collectors and sinners (Luke 15:1-2). He “deigned” to talk to a Samaritan woman (John 4), and even made a Samaritan the hero of a parable! (Luke 10).
Maybe, just maybe we see here an indication of Peter’s maturing faith, his rejection of pride and narrow Jewish elitism. He stayed in the home of Simon the Tanner. The Pharisaic spirit that laid heavy burdens on others and would not lift a finger to help (Matthew 23) held no attraction for a generous, more compassionate and sweeter spirit.
My reading of this verse is much the same as Grady's. A step in the right direction for Peter. The barriers are coming down, slowly, but surely.
3. Christianity is a Life of Self Denial
- The only way to surrender and to truly love.
- Mk 10:21.
- Learn to distinguish between: Trivial, Important, All Important
- A stain on my tie is trivial.
- Supporting / loving my family is important.
- Faithfulness to God is all important.
- Too often we ‘Major in what is minor and Minor in the major” or “We worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship.”
- Focus Again on What is All Important – Matt 6:33-34.
From Scott McCown. Click above for the whole lesson.
The National Weather Service predicts the Mississippi River will crest at 45 feet on Tuesday, May 10. It is expected to rise about a foot a day for the next few days.
via kait8.com
Time to move to higher ground, my friends.