Right after telling us about the blessing of persecution, Jesus goes on to talk about us being the salt of the earth, but what happens when salt loses its taste? When did we stop being so salty and started thinking our crocodile tears were good enough? Time to trample it all under foot.
I think you put your finger on it, Paul. So afraid of persecution, we've been fantasizing about it and seeing it everywhere, for years!
In the meantime, we've also been rethinking the Great Commission, reducing it to "winning" politically and as a church, hoping to inhabit the halls of power (cf Ratzinger 1969) and salivating over the ring of power.... which we'll surely use for good ends.
<Edit> and when true persecution shows up on the scene, will we recognize it? Or will we congratulate ourselves for avoiding it by being at the table of power? Meanwhile, our (truly persecuted) neighbor lies bleeding in the gutter
or worse/ will we be the persecutors of the faithful? there is a reason why Jesus’s temptations were each about power- power that was rightly belonged to Jesus as God. But he chose to walk away from power and so should we.
I have only heard negative reports about seek this year. I've never been and was previously hoping to eventually go. But I don't want to anymore.
Jesus came to destroy worldly authority (1 cor 15:24). After his baptism, he was tempted with authority and told Satan to leave. Why are so many Christians vying for the very thing Christ wants to destroy and even turned away from himself? We need a better hermeneutic.
We also need better bishops who are more Christian, more Catholic, and less me-generation, less American first.
I was sent to SEEK as a religious sister years ago and it was a positive experience, but like many things, it depends on what you need/want/do when you're there. I think the conference overall is a pivotal moment for a lot of people in encounter Christ and growing in their faith, even if it is not perfect or for everyone. I hope some negative comments don't completely close the door if you do feel called to go one day.
Right after telling us about the blessing of persecution, Jesus goes on to talk about us being the salt of the earth, but what happens when salt loses its taste? When did we stop being so salty and started thinking our crocodile tears were good enough? Time to trample it all under foot.
It’s like shouting “Release Barabas!” When Jesus is right in front of you
I think you put your finger on it, Paul. So afraid of persecution, we've been fantasizing about it and seeing it everywhere, for years!
In the meantime, we've also been rethinking the Great Commission, reducing it to "winning" politically and as a church, hoping to inhabit the halls of power (cf Ratzinger 1969) and salivating over the ring of power.... which we'll surely use for good ends.
<Edit> and when true persecution shows up on the scene, will we recognize it? Or will we congratulate ourselves for avoiding it by being at the table of power? Meanwhile, our (truly persecuted) neighbor lies bleeding in the gutter
or worse/ will we be the persecutors of the faithful? there is a reason why Jesus’s temptations were each about power- power that was rightly belonged to Jesus as God. But he chose to walk away from power and so should we.
I have only heard negative reports about seek this year. I've never been and was previously hoping to eventually go. But I don't want to anymore.
Jesus came to destroy worldly authority (1 cor 15:24). After his baptism, he was tempted with authority and told Satan to leave. Why are so many Christians vying for the very thing Christ wants to destroy and even turned away from himself? We need a better hermeneutic.
We also need better bishops who are more Christian, more Catholic, and less me-generation, less American first.
I was sent to SEEK as a religious sister years ago and it was a positive experience, but like many things, it depends on what you need/want/do when you're there. I think the conference overall is a pivotal moment for a lot of people in encounter Christ and growing in their faith, even if it is not perfect or for everyone. I hope some negative comments don't completely close the door if you do feel called to go one day.
Thanks for sharing this. I will keep an open mind!
Pretty sure being on the menu is exactly what the Lord did. "This is my Body, given up for you."