Jesus, during the Last Supper in Matthew 26:28
We have been forgiven much. When we really internalize that, we accept (even welcome) the opportunity to forgive others. To do otherwise becomes unthinkable. Thomas Merton summarizes this truth as well as any, writing, “We do not really know how to forgive until we know what it is to be forgiven. Therefore we should be glad that we can be forgiven by others. It is our forgiveness of one another that makes the love of Jesus manifest in our lives, for in forgiving one another we act towards one another as He has acted towards us.”
Loneliness: John O’Donoahue, the late Catholic poet-thinker-philosopher, does a great job explaining that Spiritual But Not Religious leads to a diet of cotton candy that will not satisfy real hunger. He writes, “Post-modern culture is deeply lonely. This loneliness derives in large part from the intense drive to avoid suffering and pain and the repudiation of commitment. People relentlessly attempt to calm their inner turbulence by all manner of therapy and spirituality. They seek refuge in each new programme or method as if it offered final resolution. Yet so many of these programmes have no earth beneath the seductive surface. They can offer no growth, nor enable a person to identify the pain at the root of identity. Such external tamperings never manage to reach or embrace the inner loss which is a natural part of being a human person.”
Why Church: Scott Sunquist’s new IVP release, Why Church, notes that our move into post-Christendom means that today’s church has more in common with the church of the 1st century than the church of the 21st century. Consequently he recommends: 1) returning to the view that the church is “essentially a missionary institution in a pluralistic world;” and 2) that we recognize that joining a church is a countercultural, and perhaps soon-to-be-illegal, activity. We should not expect the government to support the teaching of Christ. He also notes that this is not horrible news, and reminds us that the church will prevail.
Serve Your City: A few weeks ago, “the church left the building” for our third Serve Your City weekend. Here is a 2 minute video of that day.
Without Comment:
- 82% of Americans think that the phrase, “God helps those who help themselves” is in the Bible. 12% think that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife. And fifty percent of high school graduates think Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife.
- Teen Vogue – a magazine that targets 12-13 year old girls – recently ran a piece advocating prostitution as a valid career option. Clearly, the only moral principle the author deems appropriate to govern sex is consent.
- It’s the 31st season of Shark Week, and 35 million people have been watching. What is it about sharks?
- The Atlantic Monthly reports that though “secular churches” such as Oasis and Sunday Assembly (i.e., organizations designed to provide atheists with the benefits of weekly services with singing, sermons and potlucks) are losing steam. Two years ago there were reports of their growth and success. Many are now closed or closing.
How should a Christian respond to the appeals by homeless? One of the questions I am often asked is, what do I do when someone is begging – especially given what Jesus says in Matthew 25. I do not have a definitive answer, but here are a few thoughts: 1) it is good to be unsettled by their plight. In fact, we need to work to keep our hearts soft; 2) it is good to support shelters and other ministries that offer thoughtful plans that start with crisis intervention and move people into jobs; 3) I seldom give money, though I make exceptions if I think children are suffering; 4) keep granola bars and other food items nearby and hand them to those asking for help.
Two Articles of Note: Readers of my Friday Update have heard me compare the different outcomes I see between those whose hospital room is full of family and friends, and those whose room is empty. This article cites yet another study trumpeting community. In this WSJ piece, Jason Willick explains the insights of UVA sociologist, James Davison Hunter concerning culture and “cultures wars.”
Speaking of Friends: I saw some old friends this past week when I went home to run in my 21st Bix 7. I ran my first Bix while in high school. At the time, all marveled that 2,000 people would sign up for a run. The Bix has grown to over 20,000. I think this two minute video of the start of the race is worth watching.
Question of the Week: A few weeks ago I started asking a weekly question. I do so believing that the quality of your life will be determined by the quality of the questions you ask. This week’s question: What will be the last normal day of your life?
Quote of the Week: Only with the Gospel do you get the verdict before the performance. Tim Keller
Closing Prayer: Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Anglican Book of Common Prayer