trying to find His way
“Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.” (Luke 17:1) We were made to love and to be loved.But in this world we experience the constant cycle of hurt and hurting others.If love is God’s will, then sin is any and all unloving, cruel behaviours.This is…
“If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” (Luke 16:31) In this parable, the rich man is separated from the poor beggar.He failed to show mercy in this life, so he gets none after death.He wants to warn his still living brothers…
“In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” (Luke 16:23) Why does Jesus refer to Hades, from Greek mythology?“In Greek mythology, Hades is divided into several regions, primarily including Tartarus (for the worst offenders), the Elysian Fields (for the virtuous), and the Asphodel Meadows…
“…and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Luke 16:18) This verse seems to come from nowhere, disconnected from what precedes it.But I see it as proof of what He just said about the limits of the Law.Every stroke of the Law served its purpose in its time.But the Law did not end misery,…
Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.” (Luke 16:16) Jesus distinguishes between the Law and the Prophets and the Kingdom of God.The Law was a guardian until Jesus came, it was not God’s forever plan.“The law was our guardian until Christ…
“You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts.” (Luke 16:15) Jesus is challenging peoples’ love for and commitment to money.Living in relative wealth compared to the rest of the world, does this mean me too?We tend to justify how much money we need, how much we save,…
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” (Luke 16:10) Everyone is trusted (graced) by God with something, more than we realize.I am a steward of everything within my realm of responsibility.My mind, my mouth, my body, my ability to choose, my hands, my feet.My possessions, my education, my job, my…
“Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves.” (Luke 16:9) God created us to be wise, creative and industrious.It has often struck me how skilled we can be for bad reasons.Why not put our skills to use for eternal purposes?‘People of this world’ are very clever and skilled.Jesus urges us to use these skills for good…
“You are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” (Luke 15:31) God’s love for outsiders does not neglect those who already belong.Leaving the 99 (Luke 15:4) does not mean neglecting or abandoning them.Those within the sheepfold already have all they need – love, food and protection.God loves them equally, even if special attention is given to…
“All these years I’ve been slaving for you…” (Luke 15:29) By choosing these words, Jesus raises the question of motivation.Is this how the Jews felt about obeying God?Was it a burden for them, a forced submission and not a love relationship?The son in this story makes it sound like the father didn’t care.Did the father only…