A Rabbi Looks at Faith and Justice. Abraham Joshua Heschel died in 1972, an internationally revered rabbi, scholar, author, theologian, and social activist. His last post was as a professor of Ethics at Jewish Theological Seminary. He was the author of many classics of modern theology, including The Sabbath, Man Is Not Alone, and God …
Children of the Light. “LET THERE BE LIGHT!” (Gen. 1:3) First things first, God thought, so He spoke light into mortal existence. Light, the first creature. As you know, that wasn’t the last we’d see of light. But what if the creation of light is actually a continuous process, the first substance which is also …
In Other Words: Praying the Lord’s Prayer. Versions and Paraphrases of the Lord’s Prayer for alternate use. 1. Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as …
Cultivating Wisdom at Home and School “You may be quite sure that in the last days there will be some difficult times. People will be… always learning, but never come to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7) (Please read Luke 2:39-51). Because the chore of growing up is so difficult for all of …
A Morning Prayer. (Please read this slowly, meditatively, thoughtfully. Every phrase is rich and significant.) Open my lips, O Lord, And my mouth shall proclaim your praise. (from Ps. 51). Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, Heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you for …
Christ Jesus, the Wisdom of Creation (in Proverbs 8) “Christ is the Wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24) “He is the image of the unseen God, the first-born of all creation, for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth: everything visible and everything invisible, thrones, ruling forces, sovereignties, powers – all …
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant – Please read Matthew 18, especially v. 21-35. CONTEXT a. Matthew 18 is apparently one long private conversation between Jesus and his disciples, and the gospel values here are certainly at odds with the ways of the world. This chapter is concerned with a fascinating variety of topics about …
“If you listen carefully you can hear the truth from the unlikeliest sources, especially from the unlikeliest sources, from an enemy, from a stranger, from children, from nuts, from overheard conversations, from stupid preachers… Are not great discoveries also made at the unlikeliest moments?” (Walker Percy, The Second Coming, p.181) One of my family’s favorite …
We have a Christian home, but we celebrate many Jewish traditions. Why is that? Much of our motivation to add Old Testament rituals, fulfilled in Christ, to our family life is due to our fascination with the Jewish roots to our Christian faith. We like to spend time: immersing ourselves in the same Bible that …
The imagination is the intellect at play, it is reason listening to a story. Of course Jesus, who invented the human mind, planned the learning process to include the capturing of the imagination. The master teacher, he loved to express his vivid and agile imagination whenever he could. Jesus loved to tell stories, all kinds …
To begin the House Blessing, everyone present gathers in the living room. An official leader, eg., a priest or a pastor, can be invited if desired. It is often recommended that you alternate leadership and reading from room to room. That way, more people can participate and take ownership as you pray through the house. …
On Worship as Lifestyle. “Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? With eyes wide open to His mercies, here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: I encourage you, as a act of sensible, intelligent worship, to surrender yourselves to God to be His sacred, living sacrifice. Make …