They were comfortable… until they were told a story. Then they learned an uncomfortable truth. The person in the story out there, hid in their own heart.
In this Vincentian Mindwalk i explore how Pope Francis tells us a story about ourselves that unmasks our coverups and deceptions.
The OUR Father is not just a memorized formula or ritual title. Believing… and living accordingly… these words are truly a radical challenge for each and every one of us. We gloss over the implications of “OUR” We unconsciously think of “MY” father.
“There is no Christianity without mercy. If all our Christianity does not lead us to mercy, we are on the wrong path.” (Pope Francis) Just as we learn to walk, we must learn to “mercy” from our experience of God mercying us.
A Vincentian priest has made it his life’s work to “go out to the margins” of society and try to restore dignity to the “living scraps” of a “throwaway culture”. Pedro Opeka CM, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize… again.
They were comfortable … until they were told a story. They then learned an uncomfortable truth. The person in the story out there hid in their own heart.
It’s all Pope Francis’ fault! I can no longer tame the shock of the story of the Good Samaritan.
We spend most of our lives overcoming the latest version of the boundaries of our experience. Jesus’ message called us to expand our horizons beyond the limited vision of what we know. He asked us to imagine one another as God sees us.
Luke 4 is regarded by many as Jesus’ inaugural address… a mere 60 words. These 60 words have had more impact on our history than all of our Presidential addresses combined.
Christians can become so irrationally blinded by culture wars, debates, and their own opinions about hot-button issues that they often sacrifice the Gospel of Jesus instead of humbly seeking to follow the life and example of Christ.
Love your neighbor as yourself, Jesus tells us. Here is a challenge: Start with the neighbor you love the least.
Now I ask Jesus to open my eyes to the opportunities to wash the feet of those most in need during the course of the day.
”Laudato Si’ taught us that EVERYTHING is connected; ‘Fratelli Tutti’ teaches us that EVERYONE is connected.”
Rereading the story from the perspective of our own experiences of anxieties is a wake-up call!