That one always has an emotional wallop for me. Hardest for me to follow? Forgiving offenses and praying for enemies, although I do try my best. Put your picks in the comboxes.
Hardest Line in the Bible
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit….” . A reminder to put arrogance and pride behind us and embrace humility. Not easy, but possible with God’s help.
“You must not forgive 7 times, but 77 times.”
It’s a reminder that “forgive and forget” is therapeutic BS. You MUST remember in order to truly forgive and continuously do so.
The entire idea of the “Good Shepherd” has always been problematic for me. We are the sheep and Jesus is the shepherd. He will search for us if we are lost or go astray. Yes, the shepherd looks after and protects his sheep, but to what end?
I grew up on a farm and although my Dad didn’t raise sheep, he did raise hogs. None of our hogs died of old age or natural causes. The same is true of the sheep in Biblical times. They were used as food and sacrifices. It just seems like a metaphor that doesn’t hold up.
I often wondered if “Your sins are forgiven you” was a tongue twister in Hebrew/Aramaic, since it’s apparently easier to say “take up your mat and go home”
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’”
George – also, wool.
And Ezekiel 34 has this:
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
Jesus said, ” When I return, will I find any Faith on earth?”
That line rings constantly on my mind when I see my entire family and those of others leaving the Faith. Our churches are still emptying out – as they did immediately after Vatican II, and the dearth of priests & holy bishops remains an ongoing scandal.
Lord help us.
George: Now, imagine a Shepherd who chooses to become (spiritual) food for His sheep.
Heavenly things are far different than worldly things. 🙂
CAG: Yes I know Jesus became a sacrificial lamb himself, reversing the shepherd/sheep dynamic, but sheep were used for sacrifices throughout the Old Testament so casting us in that role always seemed counterintuitive to me because of my childhood experiences with livestock.
“if you love Me, keep My commandments”.
how deep is my love have mercy on me.
Matthew 16:24: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself…”