The People's Pope

“The Pope welcomes everyone: people who are disfigured or sick, people who are young and old. Pope Francis is able to express joy and radiate compassion and empathy for others. This may be due to his experiences of pain and weariness. He rose quickly within the ranks of the Society of Jesus and this caused tensions which caused enough Jesuits to despise his leadership. As a result, when he was just 50 years old, his Jesuit community stripped him of all responsibility and he was exiled to Cordoba, Argentina. That experience was humiliating and also humbling. It eventually made him more merciful and kind as he experienced what is sometimes called a “dark night of the soul.” Because he knows deep pain and despair too well, Pope Francis is able to emulate and embody the compassion and love that Jesus showed. We are all broken and in need of compassion, understanding and love. This draws thousands to listen to and meet the Pope as he stands in solidarity with those who suffer and are in need of hope, mercy and grace." The People’s Pope: Our Attraction and Fascination with the Pope ☀

Romans 1:26-7 - The Bible Says That Homosexuality Is A Sin?

"The bible says” is often the excuse employed by homophobic Christians who believe scripture requires a condemnation of homosexuality. The bible is a neutral object. It only “says” something when we act upon it. This is why we as actors must use this prop in a Shakespearean manner and not improv it as so many do today.


 In the last several decades, the use of classical rhetoric as a tool to examine the Pauline epistles has become something of an institution among New Testament scholars. Because of this, we are able to wield scripture more effectively. Equally so, there is push back from fundamentalists and conservatives who would read scripture as if they were the ones writing it, divorced from its first century Greco-Roman-Hellenistic context. It is because of this insistence we read scripture as a modern how-to guide that those who use it are likely to do so not only in error but to the harm of others as well.


 A case in point is the often (mis)used passage, Romans 1.18-32. It does not take long in a discussion on scripture and homosexuality for the more traditional defender to take this out of his or her arsenal, as if it is the “nuclear option.” Jesus may not have spoken directly about homosexuality, but Paul did, we are assured. However, and I relish this role as the bearer of bad news, this passage is not about condemning homosexuality, but about condemning those who condemn others."


 Romans 1:26-7 - The Bible Says That Homosexuality Is A Sin? Via azspot.net
 I strongly agree with this.

Who Did Jesus Condemn?

“Jesus condemned no one excerpt hypocrites"

Love Your Muslim Neighbors'

“Bottom line – if “Muslims” are your enemies, it’s clear what Jesus calls us to do with enemies.  And if these “Muslims” are your neighbors (and many of them are), it’s clear what Jesus asks us to do with neighbors.  Either way I think you’re stuck. You gotta love em." An Open Letter to Franklin Graham ☀

Theory and Observations

"Seems like a lot of people are a lot more theoretical than practical. I mean it's neat to think about the theory and the logical and intellectual ramifications, but without practical and accurate observations your theory can get pretty detached from the reality of the situation." Friend Sam Strelitz

Christians

I honestly believe that the solution to the problems in the inner city has more to do with Christians being willing to go there and less to do with any program (political or religious) that comes from the outside. The inner city needs the increased presence of the Holy Spirit and the best and most effective way that can happen is by Christians carrying it there. We are the temple and where we go is holy ground, so why are we not in the inner city saying, like Christ did before us, this is my Father’s house and it will be a house of prayer? Not once or twice, but each and every day. Why is it so hard for us to see that we don’t need more soup kitchens, we need more Christians feeding people out of their kitchens. Why can’t we see that we need less homeless shelters and more homeless men, women and children sleeping on Christian couches finding the way to God and to Hope? Why can’t we see that while it is always good and right to pray that God changes situations, it is more effective to pray that God uses us to change situations? Why can’t we see that the problems in the inner cities are not the people that are there, but the people who are not? The problem of {insert favorite inner city here} ☀

Lectio divina (translated “divine [or sacred]

Lectio divina (translated “divine [or sacred] reading”) is an approach to the Scriptures that sets us up to listen for the word of God spoken to us in the present moment. Lectio divina is a practice of divine reading that dates back to the early mothers and fathers of the Christian faith. Referring to the material being read and the method itself, the practice of lectio divina is rooted in the belief that through the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures are indeed alive and active as we engage them for spiritual transformation (Hebrews 4:12). Ruth Haley Barton ☀