Take up your cross, let not its weight
Fill your weak spirit with alarms;
His strength shall bear your spirit up,
Shall brace your heart and nerve your arm.
(Charles William Everest 1814-1877)
Today's Readings
What Jesus said that cannot be overlooked is this: "The greatest among you must be your servant." Oops! There Jesus goes again: ruffling the feathers of some of us, no doubt!
Another person who reflects on the Eucharistic Liturgy readings suggests that these two characters are the founders of the S&P Syndrome! The what?? The Scribes and Pharisees Syndrome!
Sorry there was not reflection yesterday. This writer was busily involved in the funeral ceremonies for a dear lady who was with her family like extended family to my family. Please remember in your prayers Gen Hubbard Barnard.
Fill your weak spirit with alarms;
His strength shall bear your spirit up,
Shall brace your heart and nerve your arm.
(Charles William Everest 1814-1877)
Today's Readings
In the New Testament writings the words "Scribes" and "Pharisees" are no stranger to our ears. However, who these characters are might well be strangers. Like the terms Republican and Democrat, these words designate people but many do not know that actual meaning of the words and their use.
Scribe
Intellectual leaders
Stressed study, the knowledge of religious regulations
and learned arguments.
Pharisee
Professed belief in the resurrection
Emphasized ritual purity, tithing
and strict observance of the Sabbath
In today's gospel reading, Jesus is seen presenting to the people who these characters are and what they do to the people. He criticizes their imposing heavy legal and ritual burdens upon the people -- usually not themselves! Both groups attempted to draw too much attention to themselves and sought ways to be honored.
What these characters attempted just don't fit into our culture and time, we might think. However, might we not ask this question: "As you read the definition of the two classes of men, what did you think?" Did you almost immediately think of people you know, superiors who direct your lives, bosses who do not want you to forget their position? Did you think, perhaps, just perhaps of course, that you might be incorporated into the "spirit" of these two kinds of people?
Intellectual leaders
Stressed study, the knowledge of religious regulations
and learned arguments.
Pharisee
Professed belief in the resurrection
Emphasized ritual purity, tithing
and strict observance of the Sabbath
In today's gospel reading, Jesus is seen presenting to the people who these characters are and what they do to the people. He criticizes their imposing heavy legal and ritual burdens upon the people -- usually not themselves! Both groups attempted to draw too much attention to themselves and sought ways to be honored.
What these characters attempted just don't fit into our culture and time, we might think. However, might we not ask this question: "As you read the definition of the two classes of men, what did you think?" Did you almost immediately think of people you know, superiors who direct your lives, bosses who do not want you to forget their position? Did you think, perhaps, just perhaps of course, that you might be incorporated into the "spirit" of these two kinds of people?
What Jesus said that cannot be overlooked is this: "The greatest among you must be your servant." Oops! There Jesus goes again: ruffling the feathers of some of us, no doubt!
Another person who reflects on the Eucharistic Liturgy readings suggests that these two characters are the founders of the S&P Syndrome! The what?? The Scribes and Pharisees Syndrome!
Sorry there was not reflection yesterday. This writer was busily involved in the funeral ceremonies for a dear lady who was with her family like extended family to my family. Please remember in your prayers Gen Hubbard Barnard.
