The messages of the Prologue [to the Rule of St. Benedict] are clear: Life is very short. To get the most out of it, we must begin to attend to its spiritual dimensions without which life is only half lived. Holiness is in the Now but we go through life only half conscious of it, asleep or intent on being someplace other than where we are. We need to open our eyes and see things as they exist around us:
From a blog at the intersection of anthropology and economics:
An Anglican bishop from Zimbabwe has been named winner of a Swedish human rights prize for “having given voice to the fight against oppression.” Bishop Sebastian Bakare was also cited for his work to promote “freedom of speech and of opinion in a difficult political situation.”
PASSERS-BY looked on in amazement as the Archbishop of Canterbury led hundreds of worshippers in song and dance in the streets of Plaistow. Dr Rowan Williams was joined by up to 300 people at a service at St Philip and St James Church to celebrate the centenary of The House of The Divine Compassion.
But Eamonn Butler, director at the Adam Smith Institute, said many people who were not materialistic had lost their entire savings. “We should remember that it is people’s homes, savings and pensions that are under threat. Many people, who have not worshipped money or materialism, have seen their savings disappear and their lives made poorer.”
But now, I think that almost all missionaries come as people who want to be servants. Now the exchange of missionaries tends to affirm the good that is in each culture and also allow Christ to judge every culture, as Christ does.
I also suggest that Christians should express the truth as they find it even when it conflicts with doctrines or interpretations of the Bible. If there is some compelling finding about, say, the Jesus of history as an endtime Jewish rabbi, then this should come first, or at least people should be honest about the layer-cake nature of doctrines or how people interpret the Bible.
woman emerging from the sea kay Plante Beeson
O Lord Jesus our God,
Who called people from their daily work
Saying to them, ‘Come ye after me’,
May your children today hear your voice
And gladly answer your call