What kind of spiritual environment were you born into?
Working From Our Innerselves
Matthew 7:21-29 Common English Bible (CEB)
Entrance requirements
21 “Not everybody who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 On the Judgment Day, many people will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name and expel demons in your name and do lots of miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I’ll tell them, ‘I’ve never known you. Get away from me, you people who do wrong.’
Two foundations
24 “Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who built a house on bedrock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It didn’t fall because it was firmly set on bedrock. 26 But everybody who hears these words of mine and doesn’t put them into practice will be like a fool who built a house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It fell and was completely destroyed.”
Crowd’s response
28 When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were amazed at his teaching 29 because he was teaching them like someone with authority and not like their legal experts.
This is the grand finale of the Sermon on the Mount, a strong reminder is that what counts is our inner life.
Today I received a card and donation from an old friend of mine in Missouri. Her children and I were friends when we were growing up, and I spent a lot of time at their house, and she and her husband were there for me in so many times. She is Southern Baptist, and her late husband was a Deacon. He was a lawyer, whom I went to when I sued the church. Joe asked me how I was making money, and I told him honestly as a prostitute, and he laughed and said, “Well I always new you were creative.”
They are stanch Southern Baptists, but at the heart of their theology is that of loving one’s neighbor. They hold the same views of their denomination on being gay, women’s ordination, and so on, but in their mind, they are called to give love without judgment, leaving the rest in the hands of God. Hertha has followed me, donated to our ministry, and has been there when I needed a friend, without judgment.
This comes from a strong inner relationship with Jesus of Nazareth. A relationship out of which pours love without judgment. It comes from within, for that is where the Spirit dwells and guides us.
In the struggles of our society, especially around homeless, immigration, and all the social issues that effect all of us, especially the poorest of the poor, we need to listen, and let the Spirit lead us in walking among our brothers and sisters in the way of love, respect, and non-judgment, and working together to meet each other in the middle.
David Paul Bible was executed in Texas last night for rape and murder in 1986. He was pushed in a wheel chair for his execution.
Meeting in the middle means to see all sides, and for me personally, that means that execution is wrong. To take a life, diminishes the universe.
So remember David Paul and his victims in your prayers, and reflect upon, what life means to you.
Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!
Fr. River Damien Sims, D.Min.
P.O. Box 642656
San Francisco, CA 94164
415-305-2124