"When a man or woman is truly honest (not just working at it), it is virtually impossible to insult them personally. There is nothing there to insult. Those who were truly ready for the kingdom were just such people. Their inner poverty of spirit and rigorous honesty had set them free. They were people who had nothing to be proud of."
- Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel -
Are you poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3)? Am I? Do you find yourself on "off days" sitting in judgement of "sinners", churches, your neighbors, that guy with the tattoos, the smoker, the adulterer, the self-righteous, or whoever may be "insulting" you on any given day? What is the greater insult; the "tresspasses" against you by people you may not even personally know? Or YOUR own tresspass on YOUR own heart as you ravage it with pride, resentment, disappointment, anger and fear? Who are you angry at? And again, "My God, how did I get here?"
"Blessed are the poor in spirit", said Jesus.
"Yes Jesus, but these people really piss me off with their constant disregard to you", says one.
"Yes Jesus, but I'm the only one with the "right" theology; so I must instruct these people in the error of their ways", says another.
"Yes Jesus, but these evangelicals are so judgemental and harsh. And those conservatives are heartless", says another.
'Yes Jesus, but that guy is gay, and he should burn in hell for his sin", says yet another.
"Yes Jesus, but I have to guard my heart, because if anyone knew who I really was they would hate me or I would be ashamed", says... everyone.
What hardens your heart? What hardens my heart?
Something to really think about.
"Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." - Jesus
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1 comment:
- Well said once more! That Manning guy knows what he is talking about once in a while!
He must get some insight from the cave... maybe I should go to the cave as well.
-Y-O!
Thanks Marcos for these posts... God knows I need to hear this & more.
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