"I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary. Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother." Philemon 1:14-16 (full readings)
Jean's Reflections: This passage makes me think of the broad sweep of progressive revelation in the Bible leading men from law to grace. God gave the law as a gift so that we could be attuned to the will of God – to love and be loved with freedom. Early on, the law was used by men as a tool of slavery to condemn/curse rather than as a gift to transform hearts to love. Jesus preached to expand men’s understanding of God, the kingdom, and the Law helping them acknowledge that all men have darkness within and that forgiveness, mercy and compassion are God’s way to healing and salvation, to grace. Abundant life isn’t about being perfect; it’s about loving the imperfect. Jesus came to “fulfill” the law - to incarnate forgiveness, mercy, and compassion - so that, through grace, we follow the law doing God’s will to love our neighbor and enemy voluntarily with enthusiasm, as a brother or friend, not as a slave or even out of duty following the same broad sweep from slavery to total freedom. Unfortunately, men often follow the law because they “have to” not because they “want to” even though the law is written on their hearts (Jer 31:33). In raising the bar and guiding us from slavery to perfect freedom in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7), Jesus says although the law says not to kill I tell you also to not be a slave to anger - another obstacle to love and abundant life. The journey is a challenge but God walks beside me healing me to have freedom from compulsions so I have freedom for abundant life!
* Jean Noon is a spiritual director/teacher in the Arlington Diocese of Northern VA. She and her Air Force-retired husband Tom have two grown sons.
Faith Challenge: Let us consummate with Christ the transformation of our hearts so that, in freedom, we participate with grace and “want to” choose love and abundant life.
Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action.
* How Dare You Compare Abortion to the Holocaust or Slavery?: “How dare we not compare the Abortion Holocaust to the American Slave Trade, the Jewish Holocaust or any other catastrophic evil in history?”
* How Dare You Compare Abortion to the Holocaust or Slavery?: “How dare we not compare the Abortion Holocaust to the American Slave Trade, the Jewish Holocaust or any other catastrophic evil in history?”
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Carolyn McKissack (daughter Karen's health), Kathy Schwab (5 yr old Dalton cancer), Jamie Simpson (special intention), Rob Rysavy (Adam Rogers mission trip), Angi Castle (Nicole's cancer)
* Ger Fjeldheim (construction of Sioux City's Mary's Choice pregnancy center)
Feast Day: St. Martin of Tours.
Faith Quote: "As the desire grows in us to be whole and to struggle for this wholeness in ourselves, in others, in our community, and in the world, and as we desire to be free in order to free others, a new energy is born within us, an energy that flows from God. It is as though we are crossing the Red Sea from slavery to freedom." - Jean Vanier
Through Christ Our Lord,
Jean
Jean
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