Category: Speaking to the Soul

When I felt so small, weak and invisible, it was comforting and empowering to imagine God watching and delighting in me.

Too often, Christians dig such a deep pit for ourselves with our doctrines of sin that we have difficulty climbing out, even though we know we have Christ at our side. Beginning from the divine goodness saves us from the temptation of despair. It has the additional benefit of showing us the depth of our sin more clearly.

This gathering for a common meal has been the distinctive mark of Christian worship from the evening of the resurrection on Easter Day until now.

There is a long history about religious people who do good, but their good acts provoke opposition from religious authorities. In today’s reading Jesus does two good things things, but he provokes opposition because he acts outside the conventions and customs of his religious heritage.

Paul encourages us to limit our freedoms out of respect for other’s scruples, conscience, or even their superstitions. It is a generous practice.