The divine Author of the Bible uses allegory to help the reader to “acquire a more profound understanding of events by recognizing their significance in Christ”, according to the Catechism (CCC 117). As a result, when we read the Bible, don’t lose sight of the allegorical meanings that many of its stories carry – meanings that point us directly or indirectly to Christ himself.
How do we understand the Good Samaritan story (Luke 10:25-37) allegorically? What is its significance in Christ? According to Pope Benedict XVI, the answers to these questions can be obtained by understanding the story in the following manner (see Jesus of Nazareth – From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration, pp. 200-201):
• "A man fell victim to robbers” (v. 30) – “Man” is to be understood as Adam or man in general; in other words, “humanity”. “Robbers” refers to the force of evil.
• “They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead” (v.30) – A picture of humanity in tatters, bereft of grace and wounded by sin. What we have is a fallen human nature.
• “Priest” and “Levite” (vv. 31-32) symbolize history, culture, and religion. None of them are the ultimate solution to humanity’s problem.
• The “Samaritan traveler” (v. 33) was distant and foreign to the man. Since the victim was a Jew, the Samaritan traveler was foreign to him. In fact, Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along. The Samaritan traveler refers to Jesus, who is distant and foreign to us because he is transcendent, holy and divine.
• “He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them” (v.34) – Jesus heals our wounded human nature using the Sacraments (oil and wine).
• “Took him to an inn and cared for him” (v. 34) – Jesus instituted the Church (inn) to care for man.
The theme of this allegory, as it relates to Christ, is love: man in general is wounded (human nature is wounded due to sin); every one of us is in need of redemption which we will receive from Jesus (the Samaritan in the story); we should love our neighbors the way the Good Samaritan loved the victim, helping the victim generously even though he was his enemy (because the victim was a Jew). The story also confirms the importance of the Church and the Sacraments (“inn” and “oil and wine” in the story), both of which were indispensable in the healing of the victim.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky proclaims its builder's craft (Psalm 19:2). elodocuments is an English/Chinese bi-lingual blog that shares based on the Catholic faith.高天陳述天主的光榮，穹蒼宣揚祂手的化工(詠19:2)。elodocuments 是個用中英語分享天主教信仰的網誌。
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Thursday, June 9, 2016
如何用信德面對痛苦
這麽多年來，我在慕道班和教會裏最常遇上的問題是甚麽？如何證實神的存在？為何不可離婚？那個宗教擁有全盤真理？天主教是否耶穌建立的教會？教友為甚麼需要聖事？ 都不是！這些都是很普遍也很重要的信仰問題，但不是慕道者和教友最常問的問題。我最常遇上的問題是：為甚麼有痛苦和如何面對。
有一個人不幸患了舌癌，做了手術和療程後多年，現在癌病竟又再復發。他極度情緒低落，無勇氣面對再一次的治療，因為這次的手術和療程將會非常痛苦和危險，還要面對從此不能說話和不能吞食的不便；就算手術成功，餘下歲月恐怕無多。他沒信仰，痛苦多番煎熬使他感到迷惘。心想：若天主真的存在，而祂又是慈悲美善的，祂為何容許世間充滿苦楚和邪惡？祂又為何無情地作弄人？
基於聖經，也基於教會在聖傳內按聖經所訂定的教導，天主教徒都相信：全能美善的天主不但存在而且眷顧一切，包括每一個人最微小和瑣碎的事情。祂將有關自己和人生的奧義啓示了給我們；祂啓示的真理已記錄在聖經中和存留在教會內。
那麽全能美善，慈悲愛人的天主為甚麼讓人類活在痛苦中？為甚麼妄顧人在苦難和失望中的呼號？這是個非常基本而又重要的問題，所以聖經一開始便先解答了它。按聖經，人在萬物中最尊貴自由，但卻誤用自由背離天主，因而身陷罪和痛苦的羅網中，不能自拔。信耶穌(他是天主) 接受他的救贖，是人擺脫罪和痛苦的羅網的唯一途徑。
那麽信耶穌的人是否永遠健康幸福？是的，但不是在這敗壞了的塵世。在來世，信主的人因著他的救恩，要復活並享永生和永遠福樂。
那麽信主的人在今世面對痛苦時當怎麼辦？簡單來說，正確面對的方法應包括以下原則：
(一) 信德 - 深信一切痛苦是這敗壞的世界不能避免的現象，所有人都活在它的枷鎖中。但這現象是過渡性的，「在過程中」(in statu viae)的受造界都在邁向最終的完美(教理 302)。藉主耶穌的救恩，痛苦和死亡的枷鎖已解除；在天主永恆的國度裡，痛苦和死亡再不能傷害我們。在那裡，我們可以歡欣地跟隨聖保祿高唱：「死亡! 你的勝利在哪裡﹖死亡! 你的刺在哪裡﹖」(格前15:55)
(二) 望德 - 保持希望，因為全能美善的天主能奧妙地從惡中引發出善 (教理 311)。基督的苦難看似是門徒們希望的全盤幻滅，但是二仟年的歷史證實耶穌的教導和有關他的預言一句也不落空。
(三) 愛德 - 要像主耶穌一樣，接納和勇於承担痛苦甚至死亡，明白我們都因主耶穌而成了司祭，我們的接納和承担是一份愛，是無私的自我獻出，是十字架的祭獻，有助救恩廣傳，讓人因我們(在痛苦中的人)而受惠。於是，本來是軟弱的，卻成了剛強的。(參閱《與未信主的好友談司祭職》。)
就像主「的德能在軟弱中才全顯出來」，跟隨主的人也願意「在困苦中，因為我幾時軟弱，正是我有能力的時候」(格後12:9,10)。最後，讓我們用教宗聖若望保祿二世的說話結束這有關痛苦的反思：
「人應將困苦看成一個特别召叫，用信德和忍耐去面對，這是一個讓人更深切地去愛的機會。」(譯自七九年九月廿九日都帕林講詞。)
有一個人不幸患了舌癌，做了手術和療程後多年，現在癌病竟又再復發。他極度情緒低落，無勇氣面對再一次的治療，因為這次的手術和療程將會非常痛苦和危險，還要面對從此不能說話和不能吞食的不便；就算手術成功，餘下歲月恐怕無多。他沒信仰，痛苦多番煎熬使他感到迷惘。心想：若天主真的存在，而祂又是慈悲美善的，祂為何容許世間充滿苦楚和邪惡？祂又為何無情地作弄人？
基於聖經，也基於教會在聖傳內按聖經所訂定的教導，天主教徒都相信：全能美善的天主不但存在而且眷顧一切，包括每一個人最微小和瑣碎的事情。祂將有關自己和人生的奧義啓示了給我們；祂啓示的真理已記錄在聖經中和存留在教會內。
那麽全能美善，慈悲愛人的天主為甚麼讓人類活在痛苦中？為甚麼妄顧人在苦難和失望中的呼號？這是個非常基本而又重要的問題，所以聖經一開始便先解答了它。按聖經，人在萬物中最尊貴自由，但卻誤用自由背離天主，因而身陷罪和痛苦的羅網中，不能自拔。信耶穌(他是天主) 接受他的救贖，是人擺脫罪和痛苦的羅網的唯一途徑。
那麽信耶穌的人是否永遠健康幸福？是的，但不是在這敗壞了的塵世。在來世，信主的人因著他的救恩，要復活並享永生和永遠福樂。
那麽信主的人在今世面對痛苦時當怎麼辦？簡單來說，正確面對的方法應包括以下原則：
(一) 信德 - 深信一切痛苦是這敗壞的世界不能避免的現象，所有人都活在它的枷鎖中。但這現象是過渡性的，「在過程中」(in statu viae)的受造界都在邁向最終的完美(教理 302)。藉主耶穌的救恩，痛苦和死亡的枷鎖已解除；在天主永恆的國度裡，痛苦和死亡再不能傷害我們。在那裡，我們可以歡欣地跟隨聖保祿高唱：「死亡! 你的勝利在哪裡﹖死亡! 你的刺在哪裡﹖」(格前15:55)
(二) 望德 - 保持希望，因為全能美善的天主能奧妙地從惡中引發出善 (教理 311)。基督的苦難看似是門徒們希望的全盤幻滅，但是二仟年的歷史證實耶穌的教導和有關他的預言一句也不落空。
(三) 愛德 - 要像主耶穌一樣，接納和勇於承担痛苦甚至死亡，明白我們都因主耶穌而成了司祭，我們的接納和承担是一份愛，是無私的自我獻出，是十字架的祭獻，有助救恩廣傳，讓人因我們(在痛苦中的人)而受惠。於是，本來是軟弱的，卻成了剛強的。(參閱《與未信主的好友談司祭職》。)
就像主「的德能在軟弱中才全顯出來」，跟隨主的人也願意「在困苦中，因為我幾時軟弱，正是我有能力的時候」(格後12:9,10)。最後，讓我們用教宗聖若望保祿二世的說話結束這有關痛苦的反思：
「人應將困苦看成一個特别召叫，用信德和忍耐去面對，這是一個讓人更深切地去愛的機會。」(譯自七九年九月廿九日都帕林講詞。)
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Pope Francis' Amoris Laetitia
I still haven't read Amoris Laetitia, but I will - my summer is all set because of this book.
Many concerns, and just as many compliments from the media at large, have been expressed about Pope Francis because of this book. Obviously to the Catholic faithful who care about Church orthodoxy, the compliments are in and of themselves a justification for their concerns.
I long to read Amoris Laetitia to really find out whether the concerns are legit. But if my previous experiences of reading Pope Francis (Evangelii Gaudium and Misericordiae Vultus) are any indications, I think my summer reading probably will be a beneficial and enjoyable one. The 9-minute video below from Bishop Barron, whose remarkable ability to explain profound theological concepts using eloquent but understandable language that makes his audience feel right at home has won him many admirers the world over, gave me added assurance that this summer's reading project is something to look forward to.
Bishop Baron on Pope Francis' Amoris Laetitia
Many concerns, and just as many compliments from the media at large, have been expressed about Pope Francis because of this book. Obviously to the Catholic faithful who care about Church orthodoxy, the compliments are in and of themselves a justification for their concerns.
I long to read Amoris Laetitia to really find out whether the concerns are legit. But if my previous experiences of reading Pope Francis (Evangelii Gaudium and Misericordiae Vultus) are any indications, I think my summer reading probably will be a beneficial and enjoyable one. The 9-minute video below from Bishop Barron, whose remarkable ability to explain profound theological concepts using eloquent but understandable language that makes his audience feel right at home has won him many admirers the world over, gave me added assurance that this summer's reading project is something to look forward to.
Bishop Baron on Pope Francis' Amoris Laetitia
Friday, May 20, 2016
信德助人看見歷史是天主的詩篇
說歷史是天主的詩篇(見前文)，是天主的手筆，意味著整個人類歷史都在天主眷顧和掌握之中。(但這說法不代表預定論 - Predeterminism。)這道理正是聖經最後一本書《默示錄》的主旨。默示錄是一本奇妙和引人入勝的寶書，由開始至完結都在描述著天上聖祭的展開。在天上聖祭展開的同時，地上的邪惡卻層出不窮地出現(殉道者的喊冤、不公義、饑荒、地震、天災、戰爭、海上和地上怪獸所象徵的暴政等)。它的訊息是：無論人類歷史上充滿了多少不公義與痛苦，天主仍眷顧一切，掌握一切，最後正義會戰勝邪惡，天人結合(十九章的羔羊婚宴，即基督與教會的完滿結合)，新天新地出現。
聖經是天主直接給人啟示人生真理的書。由於天主是人的父親(所以耶穌教人祈禱，一開始便專稱天主為「天父」)，祂和我們是一家人，所以聖經也被看作天父親切地寫給祂的家人的家書。為了讓我們看見家書的作者為神的本領，讓我們信奉祂，天主使用獨一無二的預象法 (typology)來寫作。這預象法就是我在前文已論述過的。除了前文所用默基瑟德 (Melchizedek) 的例子外，我在此再補充三個簡單些的聖經例案：
(1) 亞巴郎祭子的有關形象巧妙地預告著耶穌基督的十字聖祭：兩聖經片段都涉及一位父親引領著一位服從父親的獨生子，背著樹木，上山做祭獻(同是摩尼亞山即耶路撒冷所在)，前片段中，祭獻被終止，山羊替代獨生子做祭品；後片段中，獨生子耶穌親自完成贖罪祭，使全人得救。
(2) 羅厄方舟和洪水有關形象巧妙地預告著教會和聖洗：水的清洗使罪惡的大地煥然一新，預告著聖洗聖事滌除人罪，帶來新的生命；方舟載渡創造物進入洪水冲洗後的新天地，代表著人在教會內，藉她的牧放和餵養而進天鄉。
(3) 以色列人四十年曠野飄流，有關形象巧妙地預告著人類在塵世飄流的日子，若人堅持信從天主，最終必像以色列人般，能進入流奶流蜜的福地即天國。
我深愛歷史，也愛哲學和文學。但這麽多年後，我找到了一本寶書，它不但蘊藏著我深愛的歷史、哲學、和文學的一切，而且遠遠超越和比它們優越。這本書叫聖經。難怪聖熱羅尼莫 (St. Jerome) 在論及這寶書時這樣說：「能夠置身這些事物中，細心默想，縱使不再認識其它事情，不再尋求其它事情，感覺上這不就是在地上預先品嘗了天國之樂嗎？」願您也因聖經而飽嘗天國之樂！
聖經是天主直接給人啟示人生真理的書。由於天主是人的父親(所以耶穌教人祈禱，一開始便專稱天主為「天父」)，祂和我們是一家人，所以聖經也被看作天父親切地寫給祂的家人的家書。為了讓我們看見家書的作者為神的本領，讓我們信奉祂，天主使用獨一無二的預象法 (typology)來寫作。這預象法就是我在前文已論述過的。除了前文所用默基瑟德 (Melchizedek) 的例子外，我在此再補充三個簡單些的聖經例案：
(1) 亞巴郎祭子的有關形象巧妙地預告著耶穌基督的十字聖祭：兩聖經片段都涉及一位父親引領著一位服從父親的獨生子，背著樹木，上山做祭獻(同是摩尼亞山即耶路撒冷所在)，前片段中，祭獻被終止，山羊替代獨生子做祭品；後片段中，獨生子耶穌親自完成贖罪祭，使全人得救。
(2) 羅厄方舟和洪水有關形象巧妙地預告著教會和聖洗：水的清洗使罪惡的大地煥然一新，預告著聖洗聖事滌除人罪，帶來新的生命；方舟載渡創造物進入洪水冲洗後的新天地，代表著人在教會內，藉她的牧放和餵養而進天鄉。
(3) 以色列人四十年曠野飄流，有關形象巧妙地預告著人類在塵世飄流的日子，若人堅持信從天主，最終必像以色列人般，能進入流奶流蜜的福地即天國。
我深愛歷史，也愛哲學和文學。但這麽多年後，我找到了一本寶書，它不但蘊藏著我深愛的歷史、哲學、和文學的一切，而且遠遠超越和比它們優越。這本書叫聖經。難怪聖熱羅尼莫 (St. Jerome) 在論及這寶書時這樣說：「能夠置身這些事物中，細心默想，縱使不再認識其它事情，不再尋求其它事情，感覺上這不就是在地上預先品嘗了天國之樂嗎？」願您也因聖經而飽嘗天國之樂！
Thursday, May 19, 2016
History Is Divine Poetry
“An inexhaustible treasury of heavenly doctrine” – St. John Chrysostom on the sacred Scripture (S. Chrys. in Gen. Hom. xx, 2). Of the numerous jewels and gems that I discovered so joyfully over the years in the inexhaustible treasury of the sacred Scripture, the Divine Author’s ability to write typologically is one that continues to stir in me the deepest awe and reverence.
Typology, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “discerns in God’s works of the Old Covenant prefigurations of what He accomplished in the fullness of time in the person of His incarnate Son” (CCC 128).
History doesn’t just happen. God uses history to reveal important truths about Himself to us, especially truths about Jesus, our Savior. He uses created things (historical figures, peoples, events, institutions, other signs and images) to prefigure and foretell uncreated realities that are eternal and invisible (heaven, salvation, everlasting life, purification of sin, Jesus’ kingship, etc.) Dr. Scott Hahn, a world-renowned Catholic scriptural scholar, a mentor and guardian that God sent to help me and thousands of other people to understand the Bible, observes that history doesn’t just repeat itself, it rhymes because it is divine poetry (see S. Hahn, A Father Who Keeps His Promises, p.22).
In the Mass readings of Sunday, May 29, 2016, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, we hear how wonderfully God’s divine poetry rhymes using two important biblical figures: Melchizedek, an Old Covenant person born more than 1800 years before Jesus, and our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Melchizedek was the first priestly figure to appear in the Bible who was also a king, a righteous person, and a man of peace (Gn 14:18, Hebrews 7:2). Like Jesus the eternal High Priest (cf. Hebrews 8:1-2) who instituted the Holy Eucharist in the last supper using bread and wine and whom he prefigured, Melchizedek brought with him “bread and wine” to bless Abram.
Like Christ the King, whose Heavenly Kingdom as foretold by Daniel prevailed over all earthly kingdoms (cf. Daniel 2:31-45), whom Pilate unknowingly labelled “king of the Jews” (John 19:19-22), and who was confirmed as “Lord of lords and King of kings” in John’s apocalyptic vision (Revelation 17:14), Melchizedek was a royal figure - the king of Salem, an ancient city which eventually became Jerusalem. Melchizedek, king of Salem, was a prefiguration of Jesus, King of the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Like Jesus, the righteous man who suffered for us, the unrighteous (cf. 1 Peter 3:18), Melchizedek was a righteous man - the “righteous king” of Salem (Hebrews 7:2).
“Salem” means “peace”. Like Jesus, the “Prince of Peace”, Melchizedek as king of Salem was the “king of peace” (Hebrews 7:2).
History is divine poetry. It doesn’t just repeat itself, it rhymes.
I love reading. I have studied history and fictions, arts and sciences. I have benefited much from the wisdom of scholars, poets, philosophers, politicians, and founders of religions. But of all the books that I read, there has never been one that resembles even remotely the inexplicable power of the Bible – an amazing book whose Author demonstrated a knowledge that transcended time and space, a plot of perfect coherence, and a mysterious but powerful writing skill that used ancient, historical persons, signs and images to foretell perfectly the most important historical person ever born to humanity – Jesus, our Lord. The knowledge and skill prove to me beyond the shadow of a doubt the divinity of the Author of the Bible.
Typology, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “discerns in God’s works of the Old Covenant prefigurations of what He accomplished in the fullness of time in the person of His incarnate Son” (CCC 128).
History doesn’t just happen. God uses history to reveal important truths about Himself to us, especially truths about Jesus, our Savior. He uses created things (historical figures, peoples, events, institutions, other signs and images) to prefigure and foretell uncreated realities that are eternal and invisible (heaven, salvation, everlasting life, purification of sin, Jesus’ kingship, etc.) Dr. Scott Hahn, a world-renowned Catholic scriptural scholar, a mentor and guardian that God sent to help me and thousands of other people to understand the Bible, observes that history doesn’t just repeat itself, it rhymes because it is divine poetry (see S. Hahn, A Father Who Keeps His Promises, p.22).
In the Mass readings of Sunday, May 29, 2016, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, we hear how wonderfully God’s divine poetry rhymes using two important biblical figures: Melchizedek, an Old Covenant person born more than 1800 years before Jesus, and our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Melchizedek was the first priestly figure to appear in the Bible who was also a king, a righteous person, and a man of peace (Gn 14:18, Hebrews 7:2). Like Jesus the eternal High Priest (cf. Hebrews 8:1-2) who instituted the Holy Eucharist in the last supper using bread and wine and whom he prefigured, Melchizedek brought with him “bread and wine” to bless Abram.
Like Christ the King, whose Heavenly Kingdom as foretold by Daniel prevailed over all earthly kingdoms (cf. Daniel 2:31-45), whom Pilate unknowingly labelled “king of the Jews” (John 19:19-22), and who was confirmed as “Lord of lords and King of kings” in John’s apocalyptic vision (Revelation 17:14), Melchizedek was a royal figure - the king of Salem, an ancient city which eventually became Jerusalem. Melchizedek, king of Salem, was a prefiguration of Jesus, King of the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Like Jesus, the righteous man who suffered for us, the unrighteous (cf. 1 Peter 3:18), Melchizedek was a righteous man - the “righteous king” of Salem (Hebrews 7:2).
“Salem” means “peace”. Like Jesus, the “Prince of Peace”, Melchizedek as king of Salem was the “king of peace” (Hebrews 7:2).
History is divine poetry. It doesn’t just repeat itself, it rhymes.
I love reading. I have studied history and fictions, arts and sciences. I have benefited much from the wisdom of scholars, poets, philosophers, politicians, and founders of religions. But of all the books that I read, there has never been one that resembles even remotely the inexplicable power of the Bible – an amazing book whose Author demonstrated a knowledge that transcended time and space, a plot of perfect coherence, and a mysterious but powerful writing skill that used ancient, historical persons, signs and images to foretell perfectly the most important historical person ever born to humanity – Jesus, our Lord. The knowledge and skill prove to me beyond the shadow of a doubt the divinity of the Author of the Bible.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Bread Turning Into Flesh and Blood - a Miracle Involving Pope Francis
Many of you have attended, or have been attending, my church programs. Due to my personal interest in the Scriptures and Catholicism, the approach I use in explaining the Catholic faith is usually intellectual and theological in nature, always referring back to the Scriptures and magisterial teachings to support my point of view. I use the same approach even when Marian topics are discussed, never venturing into Fatima, Lourdes, and other well-known Marian apparitions; not because I don't believe them but because my personal repertoire in experiencing miracles and supernatural phenomenons is very limited.
Like many of you, I have seen not a few videos, photos, and articles about Eucharistic miracles. In most cases, the consecrated host inexplicably turned into human flesh and blood. (For non-Catholic friends, based on scriptural teachings and the Catholic tradition, the Catholics believe that when the bread - otherwise referred to as the "host" - is consecrated or blessed by the priest in the Mass, it changes into the flesh and blood of Christ or "the body of Christ" - a supernatural change that is called "transubstantiation".) But I find this one involving our current Pope really intriguing. Dr. Ricardo Castanon, a staunch atheist in his whole life, was asked by Pope Francis, who was at the time the auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, to do a scientific lab test on the host-turned bloody substance. The miracle was so convincing and had had such a profound impact on Dr. Castanon that he subsequently converted to become a Catholic.
Watch video on this Eucharistic miracle involving Pope Francis.
I thought I should share this miracle with my contacts, which is not something I usually do. Hope it would inspire you the way it inspired me. At the same time let's keep in mind that while God sometimes gives us miracles to strengthen our faith, as Christians what sustains us and keeps us going is first and foremost our faith in Christ, "For Jews demand signs (miracles) and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" (1 Corinthians 1:22-23).
Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. (John 6:53-56)
Like many of you, I have seen not a few videos, photos, and articles about Eucharistic miracles. In most cases, the consecrated host inexplicably turned into human flesh and blood. (For non-Catholic friends, based on scriptural teachings and the Catholic tradition, the Catholics believe that when the bread - otherwise referred to as the "host" - is consecrated or blessed by the priest in the Mass, it changes into the flesh and blood of Christ or "the body of Christ" - a supernatural change that is called "transubstantiation".) But I find this one involving our current Pope really intriguing. Dr. Ricardo Castanon, a staunch atheist in his whole life, was asked by Pope Francis, who was at the time the auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, to do a scientific lab test on the host-turned bloody substance. The miracle was so convincing and had had such a profound impact on Dr. Castanon that he subsequently converted to become a Catholic.
Watch video on this Eucharistic miracle involving Pope Francis.
I thought I should share this miracle with my contacts, which is not something I usually do. Hope it would inspire you the way it inspired me. At the same time let's keep in mind that while God sometimes gives us miracles to strengthen our faith, as Christians what sustains us and keeps us going is first and foremost our faith in Christ, "For Jews demand signs (miracles) and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" (1 Corinthians 1:22-23).
Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. (John 6:53-56)
Monday, April 4, 2016
April Snow
April snow...
Uninvited and unapologetic, she arrives.
Not to defend or explain herself she decides.
Knowing her appearance is out of the season,
Her beauty she displays in full with no reservation.
April snow...
Having reigned supreme since November,
Now content with the tribute from this lone admirer,
Yield to the flirtation of Spring she must,
But not before re-asserting her splendor as true and just.
April snow...
Refreshing and wet is her lover's kiss,
Caressing me as I slowly tread.
One impromptu encounter does not define our lifelong love;
Return she will in austerity from the north above.
Pictures taken this morning at Toogood Pond. The snow turned out to be quite a blizzard!
Uninvited and unapologetic, she arrives.
Not to defend or explain herself she decides.
Knowing her appearance is out of the season,
Her beauty she displays in full with no reservation.
April snow...
Having reigned supreme since November,
Now content with the tribute from this lone admirer,
Yield to the flirtation of Spring she must,
But not before re-asserting her splendor as true and just.
April snow...
Refreshing and wet is her lover's kiss,
Caressing me as I slowly tread.
One impromptu encounter does not define our lifelong love;
Return she will in austerity from the north above.
Pictures taken this morning at Toogood Pond. The snow turned out to be quite a blizzard!
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