Dana Owens Whether they serve us or not, we often have trouble letting go of expectations. When our expectations are met, we are pleased and delighted. However, when our expectations are not met, we are saddened and at times angry and complain.
According to Jesus, the qualification to be a good shepherd is to be willing “to lay one’s life for the sheep.” This is very inspiring for two reasons: 1. As the good shepherd, Jesus would provide all of us equal and fair opportunities for spiritual renewal and fulfillment; 2. Jesus would not do or even intend anything that would be harmful to humans.
Just as our physical body requires material nutrients for its life, our spiritual body requires spiritual nutrients for its life. And, just as our physical body weakens or deforms when it lacks necessary nutrients, our spiritual body follows in the same way when we cultivate evil instead of goodness and falsity instead of truth.
There is nothing normal about what is happening in America with guns in civilian hands. How long can we pretend that it’s okay to live like this?
What is important about the commandments may not be that they are divine mandates to the Israelites, but that the divine message to humanity is that living as free people requires keeping certain rules.
When we read the Gospels, we find that Jesus is intentionally breaking the strict notion and tradition of Sabbath. This gives us a reason to look for a deeper meaning of Sabbath, and what it means to keep it holy.