J
JReducation
Guest
Very often the sanctity of human life is seen more as a social justice issue or a moral issue and not thought of as all the above as well as a genuine part of Judeo-Christian Tradition. In today’s world, when we are on the brink of what could be another major military conflict, it is important to remember what our Tradition teaches us about human life.
I’d like to direct you to some thoughts on my blog. They are thoughts, not theological decrees by any means. My blog is the product of my observations and silent prayer. But I come to many things through Lectio Divina. Here are a few of my readings and meditations that I find useful. You may too.
The fall of Adam:
It’s rather interesting that the God who created the universe has to call out “Adam where are you?” He should know where Adam is and what Adam has done. But God so loves mankind that he prefers to pretend not to know and give Adam an opportunity to act with dignity and integrity; that is, to show himself and explain himself without the embarrassment of being questioned by God. But Adam does not take advantage of God’s compassion and respect for human dignity.
The killing of Abel
Again, God asks Cain a question to which he knows the answer. Again, God wants to give man the opportunity to confess his sin rather than accusing him. We observe God’s sensitivity to human dignity, a dignity that he has bestowed on us. Again, man drops the ball. But God will not be overdone by sin. He places on mark on Cain’s head protecting him from execution. He still loves him and values his life, despite that Cain is one who murdered out of envy.
David’s sin
Once more, man sins against God and against man. Once more, God in his mercy respect human dignity, despite the fact that David had committed a heinous crime. How often do we claim that people have to earn our respect. Yet God does not make such a claim. He offers respect freely. But this time, unlike Adam and Cain, David acts with dignity and does penance for his sins. He admits that he has violated the sanctity of human life and that in doing so, he has violated God’s very dignity, for the life that he has taken was created in God’s Image and Likeness. David saves his soul.
The execution of John the Baptist
This is rather interesting story. I would have never thought of it this way, were it not for Lectio Divina. While Herod and his mistress are brutally executing John the Baptist, Jesus reminds those who will listen that there is no greater man born of woman than John the Baptist. The sinner tramples on John’s life and takes it without conscience. But Christ mourns John’s death and restores the memory of John’s life to its rightful place. He celebrates John’s life by referring to him a the greatest prophet.
Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar
This is a very interesting scene. As an American, if anyone asked me if it was lawful to pay taxes to the IRS I would be tempted to say that it should be illegal. However, my reasons for saying so would be contrary with the Judeo-Christian Tradition. Jesus looks at the coin and says, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.” Even Caesar, who was a pagan, a corrupt politician and who often used the tax money for his personal use and not for the good of the Roman Empire, even such a man has dignity in God’s eyes. With this dignity comes rights. In his case, it was the right to govern. To do so, he had the right to collect taxes. Jesus never said that he had the right to squander the taxes. That’s a whole other story. That was not the question. The question and the answer is that even the sinner and the pagan, like Caesar is also created in God’s Image and Likeness. Therefore, like God, he has rights that belong to him and we have duties toward both, God and man. Our judgment as to whether we execute our duties must not be clouded by whether or not Caesar is one of us. We must be guided by respect and love for what God respects and loves and denunciation of those sins that God denounces.
I’d like to direct you to some thoughts on my blog. They are thoughts, not theological decrees by any means. My blog is the product of my observations and silent prayer. But I come to many things through Lectio Divina. Here are a few of my readings and meditations that I find useful. You may too.
The fall of Adam:
It’s rather interesting that the God who created the universe has to call out “Adam where are you?” He should know where Adam is and what Adam has done. But God so loves mankind that he prefers to pretend not to know and give Adam an opportunity to act with dignity and integrity; that is, to show himself and explain himself without the embarrassment of being questioned by God. But Adam does not take advantage of God’s compassion and respect for human dignity.
The killing of Abel
Again, God asks Cain a question to which he knows the answer. Again, God wants to give man the opportunity to confess his sin rather than accusing him. We observe God’s sensitivity to human dignity, a dignity that he has bestowed on us. Again, man drops the ball. But God will not be overdone by sin. He places on mark on Cain’s head protecting him from execution. He still loves him and values his life, despite that Cain is one who murdered out of envy.
David’s sin
Once more, man sins against God and against man. Once more, God in his mercy respect human dignity, despite the fact that David had committed a heinous crime. How often do we claim that people have to earn our respect. Yet God does not make such a claim. He offers respect freely. But this time, unlike Adam and Cain, David acts with dignity and does penance for his sins. He admits that he has violated the sanctity of human life and that in doing so, he has violated God’s very dignity, for the life that he has taken was created in God’s Image and Likeness. David saves his soul.
The execution of John the Baptist
This is rather interesting story. I would have never thought of it this way, were it not for Lectio Divina. While Herod and his mistress are brutally executing John the Baptist, Jesus reminds those who will listen that there is no greater man born of woman than John the Baptist. The sinner tramples on John’s life and takes it without conscience. But Christ mourns John’s death and restores the memory of John’s life to its rightful place. He celebrates John’s life by referring to him a the greatest prophet.
Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar
This is a very interesting scene. As an American, if anyone asked me if it was lawful to pay taxes to the IRS I would be tempted to say that it should be illegal. However, my reasons for saying so would be contrary with the Judeo-Christian Tradition. Jesus looks at the coin and says, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.” Even Caesar, who was a pagan, a corrupt politician and who often used the tax money for his personal use and not for the good of the Roman Empire, even such a man has dignity in God’s eyes. With this dignity comes rights. In his case, it was the right to govern. To do so, he had the right to collect taxes. Jesus never said that he had the right to squander the taxes. That’s a whole other story. That was not the question. The question and the answer is that even the sinner and the pagan, like Caesar is also created in God’s Image and Likeness. Therefore, like God, he has rights that belong to him and we have duties toward both, God and man. Our judgment as to whether we execute our duties must not be clouded by whether or not Caesar is one of us. We must be guided by respect and love for what God respects and loves and denunciation of those sins that God denounces.
