The battle between good and evil is fought on many fronts. It can involve the pain threshold of fetuses in the womb, or the purchase by thirteen year old girls of the “morning after” pill without knowledge of their parents. It can involve the shooting deaths of innocent children in a quiet New England town.
Monday that battle involved the Boston Marathon.
We may find words difficult to come by, in the face of yet another scene of carnage, yet more lives impacted or lost. We may be saddened and discouraged. But we must not grow weary. We must not allow others to define our course of action. We must not abandon hope that good will prevail. That is what our adversaries want.
The battle lines are not always clearly drawn. On Monday, however, they were.
We must have the courage to engage in a struggles as old as time, on whatever battlefield we may find ourselves. Whether the battle rages on the streets or in the courts, the war was won for us on Calvary.
Let us, therefore, “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12: 1), for in Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our Faith (Heb. 12: 2), we can securely place our trust.
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“Anxiety”, Author Bhargov Buragohain (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)
Anxiety in one form or another is the most common mental illness in the United States, effecting some 40 million men and women. Anxiety develops from a combination of factors including genetics, personality, and life events.
Attorneys are assumed to be immune to anxiety. This is a myth. Like the rest of mankind, we are subject to generalized anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, and panic. Take your pick.
Attorneys are obliged to disqualify themselves from a case, if their illness would negatively impact performance on behalf of a client. Pride may interfere with this decision. Anxiety is frequently kept under wraps by attorneys. We strive to present an aura of strength, whatever the cost.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139: 23-24).
Heavenly Father, You know our fears and failures. Protect our clients against us. Support us in our weakness. Lead us in the paths of righteousness, that we may glorify Your name, and come home to You at last.
Amen
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“Blossoming Almond Tree” by Vincent van Gogh (PD-ArtlPD-old-100)
“I said to the almond tree, ‘Sister speak to me of God.’ And the almond tree blossomed.”
— Nikos Kazantzakis, Report to Greco
The almond tree, a relative of the peach, is native to the Levant, but has been cultivated as far north as Iceland. It was among the first trees domesticated, thought to have sprouted initially on pre-historic garbage heaps. Domesticated almonds were in use by the Bronze Age (3300-2000 BC). They were found amid other treasures in the pharaoh, Tutankhamen’s tomb.
Almond blossoms have been said to symbolize hope, perseverance, and justice, among other things. For the Israelites, they signified watchfulness, specifically God’s vigilance on their behalf. The Hebrew word “almond” and the phrase, “I am ready” (or “I am watching”) sound similar. The almond, also, flowers in early Spring.
It was for these reasons that God instructed the Israelites to make a golden lampstand shaped like an almond tree, for the sanctuary (Ex. 25: 31-40). Three branches were to extend from each side, decorated with flowers in the form of almond blossoms and buds. The Jewish menorah (a candelabra with seven branches) was the result. Read more…
Mosaic showing the Resurrection of Christ, San Martino della Battaglia, Italy, Photo by Wolfgang Sauber (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported, 2.5 Generic, 2.0 Generic, 1.0 Generic, GFDL 1.2 or later)
“Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.’
So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word” (Matt. 28: 1-8).
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Ancient Romans would scourge a condemned criminal before putting him to death. The Roman scourge was a short whip with several thongs to which small pieces of metal were knotted. Sometimes the scourge had a hook at its end, for added impact.
Scourging quickly and painfully removed the skin, producing substantial blood. Shredded flesh and exposed muscles were intended not only as a punishment for the criminal, but a warning to others.
Jewish law permitted only forty stripes less one (Deut. 25: 3). Scourging by the Romans had no legal limit to the number of blows. With the objective crucifixion, however, the Centurion would direct the scourging stopped short of death.
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement for our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed…” (Is. 53: 5-6).
Lord Jesus, You took our sins upon You. Your flesh was torn that we might be healed. How You could have loved us so much, we cannot fathom.
Help us to persevere in the face of cruelty and injustice. Help us to be the reflection of Your love to the world.
Amen
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Photo by Chris Wasey, Source http://www.truropeople.co.uk/pictures/Homeless-worthless-protest-County-Hall-Truro/pictures-10696884-detail/pictures.html
“ ‘If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you’ ” (John 13: 14).
For many Christians, a re-enactment of Jesus’ washing of His Apostles’ feet at the Last Supper is part of their Holy Week liturgy. There is a growing trend to re-enact that event by ministering to the feet of the homeless.
Men and women, without a roof over their heads the other 364 days of the year, have their feet soaked and scrubbed clean by volunteers from local churches. They may, also, be offered a free meal, a haircut, a shower, clean socks, and a pair of shoes. Physicians may be available to treat calluses, fungus, and open wounds.
The Miami Herald, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and JS Online were a few of the publications reporting on this Easter ritual in 2012. Clearly, the re-enactment is of interest to non-believers. Most are astounded that Christians would humble themselves, in this way.
That is as it should be. We are to be light to the world (Matt. 5: 14). But a ritual by itself is not enough, even one so meaningful. To follow in His footsteps, Christians must do more on those 364 other days.
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Recently, I was asked to rank a number of issues facing our nation, in order of their importance to me. The final result surprised and disturbed me.
Coincidentally, our elected representatives are in process of an identical analysis, as they wrestle with one another to arrive at a budget. What surprises they may have in store for the rest of us, we will have to wait and see.
Poverty
I would have expected poverty and ethics to top my list, as these are issues about which I feel deeply.
More importantly, they are vital concerns in God’s eyes. “He is…a God of truth, and without injustice…” (Deut. 32: 4). “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes…” (1 Sam. 2: 8).
Poverty and ethics did make my list. But poverty has multiple components. So a place on the list had to be found not only for public assistance in its various forms, but jobs, tax equity, and education. I ranked these topics jointly as 4th, 5th, and 6th (though I do not believe government should be the employer of last resort, absent dire straits).
Social Justice
Healthcare – another major issue – was ranked 3rd because it so heavily impacts the quality (not to mention the length) of life, raising social justice questions.
How do we as a nation care for those unable to care for themselves? Can we agree that this is a governmental responsibility, at least in a regulatory sense? If not, what are the viable alternatives?
Or do we plan to abandon the weak by the wayside? Is it not written, “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength” (Is. 40: 29)? Read more…
” ‘Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?…Who determined its measurements? Surely you know!…Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?’ ” (Job 38: 4-7).
Physicists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research or CERN today announced that they have discovered a critical but elusive subatomic particle known as the Higgs boson. The data was actually generated last year by the Large Hadron Collider, an atom smasher near Geneva, Switzerland.
The Higgs boson is considered so fundamental to an understanding of the way the material universe works that it is often called the “God” particle. The particle is named after one of the six physicists who first proposed its existence.
This is a remarkable achievement, worthy of acknowledgement. Man has struggled to understand his world since time immemorial.
God, however, it outside time and space. He cannot be found under a microscope, quantified or dissected. No mere material discovery can rule Him into or out of existence. But when our eyes are opened by the gift of faith (Ps. 119: 18; Acts 26: 16), we can see evidence of Him everywhere.
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Censer for the burning of incense, Roekelseskar Photo by Nina Aldin Thune (“Nina-no”), (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported – Distribution Creative Commons, Kunsthistorie.com, Farmasihistorie)
Spikenard is a flowering plant grown in China, India, and Nepal. The plant was known in ancient times, distilled into oil, and shipped as a luxury item to Rome, Egypt, and the Near East.
Spikenard was one of the eleven spices comprising incense for the First and Second Jewish Temples. Once a year, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, coals from the altar were taken into the Holy of Holies, along with two handfuls of incense. There the incense was used to make smoke before the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant, the place where God dwelt.
Six days before the last Passover of His life, Jesus had supper at the home of His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (whom Jesus had raised from the dead). Mary lovingly anointed Jesus’ feet with spikenard. Read more…
Today we Christians celebrate the language of Micah and Isaiah. At least a half century of prophetic silence, however, followed these men. Zephaniah was among those who finally broke that silence.
Zephaniah’s theme involved God’s intervention in history to bring punishment for the wicked and peace to the righteous. Describing the state of affairs in Jerusalem, Zephaniah spoke of judges like “evening wolves” (Zeph. 3: 3), treacherous prophets, and violence done to the law. Addressing Judah at large, Zephaniah warned of the coming “day of the Lord” (Zeph. 1: 7). Zephaniah can, thus, be read to predict the ultimate return of Christ at world’s end.
“The Lord is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails…” (Zeph. 3: 5).
Ours is a wicked world, Father. We see corruption on every hand, and evil increasingly mistaken for good.
Like Judah, we await judgment. Send instead revival, Father. For our nation and our world, we beg mercy, in the name of Your Son, Jesus.
Let Your justice shine forth.
Amen
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A Lawyer's Prayers 