Reims Cathedral, Photo By Josep Grin, Lohen11, Source Catalan Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 2.5 Generic)
Using little more than a set of compasses, a T-square, and a rope marked off at regular intervals, medieval masons crafted masterpieces in stone – places of worship filled with light.
The construction of Gothic cathedrals began with the laying of a cornerstone. Completion of these soaring structures could, however, take hundreds of years.
At a time when higher mathematics was largely unknown in Europe, masons (responsible for actually laying the stone) combined the modern roles of architect, engineer, builder, designer, and craftsman. With little or no formal education, stonecutters shared tips with one another, learning through trial and error. Maker’s marks can still be seen on the stone in some locations. Read more…
The term “renewal” has been applied to a wide range of activities.
Renewal is the name for a role-playing game, a rock band, an album, a song, a movie, a type of parliamentary procedure, a magazine, and a brand of rechargeable alkaline batteries, among other things.
Urban renewal relates to the redevelopment of inner cities. Renewal theory is a branch of probability theory, the mathematical analysis of random acts. Renewal Judaism is a spiritual movement incorporating aspects of Hasidism into modern Judaism.
Within Christianity, the term “renewal” has two distinct meanings. Traditionally, renewal has been used as a synonym for sanctification, the process by which we are transformed into the image of Christ. Recently, renewal has been used to designate the emerging church. Read more…
“Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’ ” (Matt. 22: 35-40).
In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings, a Philadelphia trial dealing with the murder of live infants at an abortion clinic has not gotten much press.
Dr. Kermit Gosnell is, among other things, accused of having routinely aborted babies far beyond Pennsylvania’s 24 week abortion limit, and having killed seven infants who survived abortion. Experts have estimated the gestational age of one such infant as nearly 30 weeks (full term being 40 weeks). Kareema Cross, the key prosecution witness against Gosnell, testified to seeing more than ten babies breathing post-abortion. Read more…
The statistics relating to recidivism are mind numbing:
- In 2011, the Pew Center on the States reported the overall recidivism rate [1] in the United States to be 40% three years after release. The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Statistics in 2002 had reported a rate of 51.1%.
- Department of Justice figures suggest that, within three years of release, approximately 2.5% of rapists will commit another rape; 1% of murderers will kill again [2]. Compare this with a 1995 study by Quincy, Rice & Harris which placed the long-term reconviction rate of rapists at 23%.
- Recidivism among child molesters has been estimated as 20% [3]. However, a 1993 study by Hansen, Steffy & Guathier indicated that 42% of sexual predators are reconvicted for sexual crimes, violent crimes or both [4]. Many victims do not report sexually based crimes, and not all such crimes brought to the attention of police are solved. Consequently, re-arrest and reconviction data for sexually based crimes greatly underestimates re-offense.
How can anyone not be repelled by these figures and the behavior they reflect? How can mercy toward criminals be reconciled with justice for victims?
Yet Christians are asked to put their feelings aside, and trust that God will do the impossible. As He has done for us.
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink…” (Rom. 12: 20; Prov. 25: 21).
Lord Jesus, You teach us to return good for evil, to love even our enemies and those who would spitefully use us. This lesson is contrary to our nature. Our first instinct is to strike out, especially when loved ones have been harmed. How are we to overcome our inclinations?
Help us remember that love is stronger than hate. Help us believe that You will render justice – in this world or the next – even if we cannot. Extend Your grace to us, Lord, that we may extend Your mercy to others.
Amen
—
[1] Pew Center on the States, “State of Recidivism: The Revolving Door of America’s Prisons” (April 2011), https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2011/04/12/state-of-recidivism-the-revolving-door-of-americas-prisons.
[2] Bureau of Justice Statistics, “Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 34 States in 2012: A 5-Year Follow-Up Period (2012 – 2017)” by Matthew Derose and Leonardo Antenangeli, Uly 2021, https://bjs.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh236/files/media/document/rpr34s125yfup1217.pdf.
[3] Department of Justice, Center for Sex Offenders Management, “Myths and Facts about Sex Offenders”, August 2000, https://cepp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Myths-and-Facts-About-Sex-Offenders-2000.pdf.
[4] National Institutes of Health, “Long-term recidivism of child molesters” by RK Hanson and RA Gauthier, August 1993, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8370860/.
Updated 5/3/24
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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.
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse
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A Lawyer's Prayers 