Jesus refused the label others tried to put on an unnamed woman in today’s gospel story (Luke 7:36-50).  Others labeled her a “sinner.”  He acknowledged many deeds she had done that missed the highest ideal.  He offered her forgiveness, a second chance, an opportunity to change and to grow into the image he held of her.  

Jesus offers us the same opportunity, rooted in God’s extravagant love for us.  As we move into Jesus’ ideal for us, we extend the same opportunity to others.

Here’s a spiritual practice for the week:  Learn From Past Experience of Forgiveness

Look truthfully at one hurt you have been able to forgive.  What steps did you take to get there-— confess your contribution to a conflict, make amends, change behavior, let go of a label?

What feelings did you have to let go of--anger, denial, guilt, shame, or embarrassment?

Imagine what it would be like to live in forgiveness of another hurt.

Peace and Blessings!

Bob

Sometimes outsiders of scant faith outmatch our performance.  They bring us back to the basics. Then may we, re-grounded in faith and renewed in love, begin to demonstrate that gracious tenacity which can make hope become reality and bring love into situations where even the strong fear.

Jesus marveled at the faith of a Roman Centurion, a man thought by most of his contemporaries as a person outside of the community of faith.

Think of some of the most important lessons you have learned in life.  Or think of a skill you have that you value highly.  Ask yourself:  Who taught me that?

Ask these questions, too:  Who is the model of virtue for me?  Who are the influential people in my life?

Are some of the people you thought about different from you--different nationality, different ethnicity, different race,  different religion, different age, different gender, …?  Could they have contributed to your life if they were not different than you?  Give thanks for the diverse people who have contributed to your life.

Peace and Blessings!

Bob

Pay attention to what is around you. Today, especially look for things that come in threes. What can you learn from these things about the mystery of the trinity? St. Patrick, for instance, used a shamrock to teach about the trinity. In what ways do the things you observe manifest as one?

Peace and Blessings!
Bob

...at this sound the crowd gathered and was amazed, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.  --Acts 2:6

During this week look for experiences that amaze you. Then tell some about one of your experiences.  Notice the language you use, the language of narration, of poetry, of description, of science, of philosophy.  Maybe you even quote a word from scripture or sacred writing.  Practice praising God in multiple languages.

Peace and Blessings!

Bob

Use the phrase "just like me" to signify your unity with others. Whenever you find yourself making an assessment of another person, whether you are saying something critical or something complimentary, right after you think or say it, add the statement "just like me."

For example, "My partner is so stubborn, just like me." "My friend is so generous with her time, just like me." "She holds too many grudges, just like me." "He is so creative, just like me."

Peace and Blessings!

Bob