Read Luke 10:25-37. You may have heard the story of the Good Samaritan many times, but at least in my case there has never been much sympathy for the priest and the Levite. Yet their passing on the other side of the road is an attempt to obey God’s law. Read more…
A. You know, if you make demands of people that they are not able to live up to, that’s dispiriting. Cruel, really. B. You have achieved all that you should be. You are perfect. A. That’s not what I meant. B. You are not yet perfect, but all that you Read more…
Read Galatians 5:1, 13-25. For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1) Some people these days say that they are spiritual but not religious. I think the sentiment involves a desire not to be constrained to Read more…
As the deer pants for flowing streams What does the inner life look like of one who is making progress in the spiritual life? Psalms 42 and 43 give us a peek. Such a one is consumed by a burning desire for God, a desire so strong that it may Read more…
Excerpts from Tauler’s Sermon 29, Feast of the Blessed Trinity II (Johannes Tauler: Sermons, Paulist Press, 1985) We speak of what we know, and we bear witness to what we have seen. (John 3:11) All of the feasts we have observed throughout the year, whatever they have commemorated, have led Read more…
Read Acts 2:1-21. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability. (Acts 2:4) What greater gift could God give than himself? Riches, peace, power, sanctification, wisdom, suffering, death, resurrection, eternal life—nothing compares. To have the Read more…
Read Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, and Luke 24:44-53. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to Read more…
Read John 14:23-29. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14:27) Are you at peace? Are you calm in all situations, Read more…
Read John 13:31-35. I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. (John 13:34) What is the substance of this new glory with which Jesus was glorified? The difference now, the change, the new glory, is Read more…
Your shepherd Read Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17, and John 10:22-30. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1) If the Lord is to be your shepherd, you must be his sheep. If the Lord is your shepherd, he will care and provide for your every need. He Read more…