ISSL Reflections April 2 2023 Luke 24:1–12 Post 3

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VII.
Today let’s take special notice of what women do and say and what Peter does.

VIII.
Luke 24:1-12 (NRSVue)

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

IX.
Did you notice that while the women are described as “terrified” they do listen, remember and then “… told all this to the eleven and to all the rest”?

Do you think they might have been reluctant to tell this amazing story to others? If so, what might have spurred them on to talk about the encounter?

I have to give it to Peter – he did go to investigate for himself. And yet, he goes home “amazed” and, it seems to me, not having all his questions answered?

What do you think it was like for Peter to live in this “in-between” time? I have the impression that Peter likes things to be definite. To be “cut-and-dried” But here he is given space to live in this “in-between” time. What might that space have done for him?

Prayers and Practices

Let us hold in prayer those who find this talk of resurrection beyond belief. And let us give us all the room to say “I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Desu ibi est}

ISSL Reflections April 2 2023 Luke 24:1–12 Post 2

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IV.
How long does it take for you to “catch-on” to something new?

Or maybe the better question for today is how long does it take to move from your perspective on something to a better, more accurate and more complete perspective?

Hold that in mind as you read this week’s focus Scripture and see the path these people are on.

V.
Luke 24:1-12 (NRSVue)

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

VI.
What actions and steps (or stages) do you see these people go through as they encounter the empty tomb?

What do their actions reveal about their understanding of what has happened?

Do you think you would have responded differently?

If you were with them and they asked you what they should do next, how would you answer?

Prayers and Practices

Let us hold in prayer those who find this talk of resurrection beyond belief. And let us give us all the room to say “I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections April 2 2023 Luke 24:1–12 Post 1

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I.
This next Sunday, April 2, 2023, will be observed in many Christian congregations as Palm Sunday and in others as Passion Sunday with still others combining elements of each liturgy. And here in the ISSL series we jump over Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday going directly to dawn on the first day of week after the crucifixion.

Despite this jump, we still see disciples of Jesus “perplexed … terrified … bowed to the ground … [and] amazed”

As you spend time with this passage, take note of the disciples’ confusion and maybe their hope, if you notice any.

II.
Luke 24:1-12 (NRSVue)

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

III.

“But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.”

Does it seem an idle tale to you? Or maybe unbelievable? Or just too good to believe?

We see people here who walked beside Jesus for years and listened to him every day, amazed and not knowing what to think of this.

Maybe we can stand with them in their amazement before we criticize them or accuse them of having “too little faith.”

Prayers and Practices

Let us hold in prayer those who find this talk of resurrection beyond belief. And let us give us all the room to say “I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflection March 26 2023 Mark 5:1–13, 18–20 Post 3

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VII.
After Legion has been freed from the bondage he was in and as Jesus is departing, he asks to stay with Jesus and leave the place filled with the memories of his torment. Jesus denies his request.

Why? Does this leave Legion in some remaining torment or does Jesus leave him with something else?

VIII.
Mark 5:1-13, 18-20 (NRSVue)

They came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain, for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces, and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him, and he shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the region. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, “Send us into the swine; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, stampeded down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned in the sea.

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused and said to him, “Go home to your own people, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and what mercy he has shown you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone was amazed.

IX.
What do you think would be the appropriate direction for Legion’s future to take?

Stay in the area or go with Jesus to travel and live in other places? Places where he does not carry the baggage of people remembering how he lived before his encounter with Jesus?

What do we hear Jesus saying, “Go home to your own people, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and what mercy he has shown you.”

Does Legion sense that community is his “own people”? Does he fear he will be bound by his past history there?

Where do any of us find our home?

Prayers and Practices

As I read this account I sense a push to hold in prayer those who are tormented by a lack of control in their lives. Maybe that is due to substance abuse, destructive and/or abusive relationships or even depression and self-destructive thoughts.

Maybe there is someone among my acquaintances or community that I need to notice and beyond noticing, offer support to. How can you and I, in some sense, be present to another as Jesus was present to this man?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, ibi Deus est}

ISSL Reflection March 26 2023 Mark 5:1–13, 18–20 Post 2

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IV.
Today let’s pay attention to the conversation and interactions between Legion and Jesus.

V.
Mark 5:1-13, 18-20 (NRSVue)

They came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain, for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces, and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him, and he shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the region. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, “Send us into the swine; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, stampeded down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned in the sea.

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused and said to him, “Go home to your own people, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and what mercy he has shown you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone was amazed.

VI.
What does the tormented man do and say?

Did you notice that he ran toward Jesus and “bowed down before him”?

That might lead you to think he wanted Jesus to heal him, but he asks Jesus to not torment him.

Why? What does he want from Jesus?

Notice Jesus asks, “What is your name?” And the man answers him with what appears to be some acknowledgement of his tormented condition.

What do you think Jesus does by asking the man his name?

Prayers and Practices

As I read this account I sense a push to hold in prayer those who are tormented by a lack of control in their lives. Maybe that is due to substance abuse, destructive and/or abusive relationships or even depression and self-destructive thoughts.

Maybe there is someone among my acquaintances or community that I need to notice and beyond noticing, offer support to. How can you and I, in some sense, be present to another as Jesus was present to this man?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflection March 26 2023 Mark 5:1–13, 18–20 Post 1

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I.
As we spend time this week with “Legion” and Jesus, first take note of how this “out of control man” acts. Do you think “out of control” begins to describe him? It seems appropriate to me.

II.
Mark 5:1-13, 18-20 (NRSVue)

They came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain, for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces, and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him, and he shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the region. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, “Send us into the swine; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, stampeded down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned in the sea.

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused and said to him, “Go home to your own people, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and what mercy he has shown you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone was amazed.

III.
Which behaviors of Legion stand out to you?

That he lives among tombs and the bones of the dead? That he has exceptional strength; sufficient to escape shackles and chains? That no one has been able to “subdue” or control his abusive behaviors? That he abuses himself? Or even his “howling”?

What would you do if you encountered such a person?

Let me be honest about this – I am pretty sure I would avoid him! I would go out of my way to avoid him.

What does Legion need? More chains and shackles or someone to come near to him?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 19 2023 John 4:7–15, 28–30, 39–41 Post 3

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VII.

“Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

What does the woman ask for? What is the “here” she wants to leave behind?

VIII.
John 4:3-30, 39-42 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

[Jesus] left Judea and started back to Galilee. But he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.

A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband,’ or you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.”

Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him.

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”

IX.
We are with them at the well, she came for water, so “here” is certainly this “watering” spot.

I suspect “here” is also the time and way she comes to get water. She travels alone, not with the other women of the village and not at the time they come to the well for water.

“Here” may be her being shunned by other village residents.

Jesus speaks of “a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”

“Here” may be the place of disappointment and unfulfillment she is experiencing.

She hopes for a “here” where life is full of meaning and a future open to possibility. Kingdom possibility.

What do you know of a “here” in your life from which Jesus might show you the way to hope, life and His Kingdom?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 19 2023 John 4:7–15, 28–30, 39–41 Post 2

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IV.
In the last post we looked for the barriers that stand between the women and Jesus.

Today, let’s see what brings them together. What do you notice that helps overcome the barriers that exist?

V.
John 4:3-30, 39-42 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

[Jesus] left Judea and started back to Galilee. But he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.

A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband,’ or you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.”

Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him.

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”

VI.
Let’s start with something simple – conversation.

Talking with other people just might be the first crack in walls that separate us from one-another. Maybe?

And building on that, asking questions. Does that make sense to you?

Not the kind of questions we might ask that serve to let the other person know we feel superior. Or the kind that are asked to lead to a place where we show we have the “right” answer.

What kinds of conversation lead to genuine and honest communication?

We do want honest communication, don’t we? Or do we prefer to keep our personal and verbal distance from other folk?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 19 2023 John 4:3-30, 39-42 Post 1

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I.
So Jesus one day decides the best route to his destination is to go through Samaria.

Oh, I have read time and time again, this was not the road that faithful, practicing Jewish rabbis would take. Or for that matter, any Jew who took his faith practices seriously. You just were supposed to avoid the Samaritans.

That day Jesus steps out of the expected way of doing things.

As you enter that day with this Samaritan woman and Jesus, let’s begin by noticing what stands between her and Jesus. What barriers exist between them?

II.
John 4:3-30, 39-42 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

[Jesus] left Judea and started back to Galilee. But he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.

A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband,’ or you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.”

Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him.

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”

III.
What did you notice?

Well, we already mentioned one is a Jew and the other a Samaritan.

She is traveling to the wall alone and not in the company of other women, so perhaps the proper thing for Jesus is not to speak to her in such circumstances.

What about her marriage status? Is that cause for a faithful Jewish man to avoid her?

Oh, and don’t miss that they are separated by religion and religious practices.

What else might stand between them?

What barriers, what cultural conventions separate you from others? Are you satisfied with those conventions? Does the insulation they provide make you feel more comfortable or more safe or even a better person than others?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 12 2023 Matthew 18:1–9 Post 3

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VII.

“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

What do you find out about “greatness” and the “kingdom of heaven” in your reading of these three paragraphs?

Let me encourage you to spend time with this passage again, and as you take it in, notice any connections you find between Kingdom greatness, causing others to “sin,” and what might cause you to “sin.”

VIII.
Matthew 18:1-9 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? He called a child, whom he put among them and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

“If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things are bound to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

“If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.

IX.
Would you agree that “sin” is something (or anything) that leads us away from the Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God?

If that’s the case, what is mentioned above that leads us to life in God’s Kingdom?

Is humility on the path? What about any actions of ours that take others away from the Kingdom path? And then, what about our responsibility to ourselves to avoid what leads us away from the Kingdom?

Can you think of an action or behavior of yours that you need to reevaluate in light of Jesus’ words about Kingdom greatness?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Desu ibi est}