I wish to share an Easter commentary by Father Donald Senior, President Emeritus, Chancellor, and Professor of New Testament Studies at Chicago Catholic Theological Union. Saturday morning I phoned a friend to read to her some of Father Senior’s wise comments. In response, my friend challenged me with a thought I’d never considered: “If Christ had lived on, would you still believe in him?” Continue reading If Christ had Lived Would You Still Believe?
Category: Who is Christ
Understanding the Atonement:
“I am always dying for you.”
Although I often refer to Scripture and trust its wisdom, the larger part of my learning comes through heavenly sources. That is what I asked for in 2011, and struggle to put into words at Freely Receive. Still, with regard to understanding the atonement (“Christ died for our sins”) the vast number of Christian beliefs and doctrines overcame me. So I asked Master to help me learn, from his point of view, the events that took place during those three dark days and nights.
Continue reading Understanding the Atonement:
“I am always dying for you.”
Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Jesus
During this time of the year I always wonder what kinds of gifts Master would like for his birthday. Here I share my three best Christmas gift ideas for Jesus to help us disciples honor the Lord on his special day. Each gift relies on the power of the Holy Spirit to unite and heal us (God willing).
Come the Human Boy
Come the Human Boy
Two thousand years and twelve
hitherto today, Love, attained
in this wintry foreign land
the hearts of we, its dwellers.
Incarnate, creation’s Master
now come human boy, illumined
in joy the nature of All.
Laws of life, of Love disclosed
in the image of oneself oddly
creation’s Master
now come human boy,
seemed rather more to be
much like thou and me.
Misgiving hearts, come!
See oneself made young
indescribable forever-joy, be
thy gift of the human boy:
now come children,
we shall perish the winter.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men.
My Perfect Brother
My perfect brother is totally awesome. He is Father’s firstborn son. My soul, who says she’s my sister, and my whole family is with me all of the time. I hear my big brother’s voice in lots of ways, but mostly in my right ear. Sister talks in my left ear. She’s being super quiet right now, because Brother is speaking to us.
Jesus called the children to him and said: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Accept God’s Name
Whether or not we accept God’s Name, all of us share it. So why does it feel so awkward to say “My Father” in public?
“Every Being In The Universe” – KPAX, 2001
What does it mean to accept God’s Name? Many faiths tell us the Name is ours by birthright. Why then does it seem odd to assert direct lineage to God—and much more proper to honor our human parents?
“Because you offend those who don’t believe what you believe,” chides the human world. I see. Isn’t everyone descended from God? By itself, belief in a creator is not a religion. But just imagine telling someone in the grocery store what your Father in heaven said to you last night. Once in a while I do this. My hope is that when I accept God’s Name as a normal, everyday thing for myself, so might others. Someone asked us to do this a while back. He didn’t seem too concerned about offending people.
“Do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.”
Matthew 23:9
My Journey Into Chaos
My rather dark journey into chaos holds an important truth. Those who seek to learn the workings of creation (or be saved from them) need only ask God for help. In my case I also asked to see the kingdom of God. I’m sure that I didn’t say “kingdoms,” but that’s what I got. There exists an endless number of kingdoms. Some are ruled by living beings, God, or both. And there is at least one realm I know of that doesn’t seem to have a ruler.
Chaos. Imagine yourself cast adrift in a realm in which the smallest thought cannot exist. Whom will you call on when you can’t remember your name?