"Not on the Sabbath You Don't" (Messages From The Pulpit)

     Jesus was always test the boundaries between what his Father in Heaven was saying and what The Law said. In a sense Jesus lived outside the law.
     Healing on The Sabbath (unless in a life or death situation) was forbidden and yet Jesus openly healed those in need any time they needed him.
     In these modern times some people (Christian or not) will openly refuse to help or even show love to people they deem to be sinners. For some praying at a distance (if conversion is rejected) is close enough.
     There are people such as lepers that have been seen as untouchable. This term is used in the caste system that refer to the lowest of the low.
     Here in The United States exclusions sometimes take different shapes. For example refusing service to
African American's before, during, and after the civil rights movement was quite common especially in the segregated south.
     Muslims have been kicked off of planes simply for "looking Muslim and/or sounding Muslim."
     In some communities Gay and or Lesbian couples were asked to leave churches because they might corrupt the youth.
     Some people will pray that a person does things their way." Join my church or depart from me." Become a doctor or you are no longer part of the family. After all it's tradition.
     God designed all of to be unique and to take his image. Excluding someone is excluding God.
       People in need don't care where the aid comes from. The food pantry may take place in the basement of a Catholic Church or in the gym of a nearby high school. Needs are being met.
     People are meant to be social creatures. No man stands alone. Man doesn't live on bread alone.
       You will never know if you need a blood transfusion came from the blood of a gay man. Sometimes social conventions go against many things that we are taught in our hallowed halls and places of worship.
     Having faith in the unseen doesn't make sense to people who think that if it can't be proven then it must not be true.
     If one of the greatest teachers that ever lived stepped outside the box when he was here on earth in order to heal then maybe we can really follow in the footsteps of true greatness.
      Greatness that doesn't boast and isn't flashy. Healing through humility. Love beyond judgment.
    The world is hurting. It needs you. It needs peace. It needs healing.

Gun Control and Other Causes of Division

     Recent tragedies involving gun violence has caused a great rift about the rights of gun ownership and The 2nd Amendment.
     This isn't the first nor will it be the last issue of contention of public policy and laws in The United States.
     A nation divided against itself will surely fall.
     Just how united is this country? We continue to fight over gun rights, abortion, health care, gay rights, legalization of marijuana etc.
     How far are people willing to go to prove a point or stand for cause? Protest and violence that happens during the course of a protest. What are we saying when some of our citizens feel that killing an abortion doctor is a form of justice? How do we react when such actions are supposed to be the will of God?
     Thankfully the majority of the population agree that violence is never OK.
     Violence in the name of God just pushes people away from the source of love and peace.
     Hate and Kill are both 4 letter words but so is Love. The greatest of these is Love.
     Let's no longer use our tongues and actions for violence. So often pain leads to thoughts of revenge.
Revenge can manifest in violence. Violence against others or violence against self in the act of suicide.
     Even with all the violence that happens in our country it is still seen as a superpower.
      Maybe our "superpower" can be manifest as forgiveness, healing, unity, and love.