Giving
(more from the Sermon on the Mount)
38“You have
heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But
I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right
cheek, turn the other also; 40and if anyone wants to sue you and
take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41and if anyone forces you
to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give to everyone who begs
from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children
of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the
good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For
if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors
do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what
more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48Be
perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:38-48
St. Martin
and the Beggar
MARTINI, Simone
1320
San Francesco (Church)
Assisi, Italy
|
The beautiful pastel colors of this mural in the Chapel of
St. Martin in the lower section of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi,
provide a visual parallel to the uplifting spiritual moment in which Martin
of Tours shares his cloak with a poor man. Tradition holds that from this
moment, in which Martin met Christ in the beggar, that Martin lived a life of
remarkable commitment to the cause of the poor. He also was a passionate
believer in loving one's enemies, once taking a pacifist stand that led to
charges of cowardice and eventually to his imprisonment -- "I am a
soldier of Christ; I cannot fight." Today's scripture reading from Matthew, a portion of the
Sermon on the Mount, provides direct scriptural commands from Christ,
commands that Martin of Tours practiced in his own life: -- "Give to
everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from
you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate
your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you..." -- Matthew 5:42-44a |
In this life we can't always do great things,
but we can do small things with great love.
~ Mother Teresa
Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it.
~ Confucius
Artists With Altitude
Gallery at Genesee
Opening Reception
February 10, 2011
http://artistswithaltitude.com/
Nancy Larner
Nancy also wrote the book A Mouse in the Rabbi's Study.
(Jack and Will, you have a signed copy!)
http://www.artistswithaltitude.com/nancy_larner.htm
Debbie Kerr
http://www.artistswithaltitude.com/debbie_kerr.htm
Jeanne and I enjoyed The Lion in
Winter (and dinner afterward)!
Tiny Vicky and (not tiny) Carolyn at our church
Book Club.
Mary Richards, congratulated by Todd, was selected
as Rotarian of the Month!
Carolyn, Rebecca
I had a private (well, in the coffee shop) fitting
for the wonderful socks Rebecca is knitting for me! She decided they couldn’t be kept a secret
since she needed some measurements.
There is no greater mistake than the hasty
conclusion that opinions are worthless because they are badly argued.
~ Thomas Huxley
biologist and writer (1825-1895)
February 20, 2011 Seventh Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Previous OPQs may be
found at:
http://www.dotjack.com/opq.htm
38“You have
heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But
I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right
cheek, turn the other also; 40and if anyone wants to sue you and
take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41and if anyone forces you
to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give to everyone who begs
from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children
of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the
good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For
if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax
collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and
sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the
same? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:38-48
Agnus Day, by James
Wetzstein
Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org
http://www.churchpowerpoint.com/
http://www.heartlight.org/gallery/555.html
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
Psalm 119:33-40
1 Corinthians 3:10-11,
16-23
Matthew 5:38-48