“If you purify your soul of attachment to and desire for things, you will understand them spiritually. If you deny your appetite for them, you will enjoy their truth, understanding what is certain in them.” St. John of the Cross
"You know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. That though he was rich he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9
The poverty of Jesus. It almost sounds unchristian. Which tells you just how far Christianity has strayed from Christ and his word. The poverty of Jesus is the grace of God. We are debtors without it; poor, wretched and naked. Shame veils our face. These words haunt me. For the desert is becoming a place of prosperity and self-gratification. Jesus is on sale at Walmart, with a variety of styles to fit your preference. He comes complete with accessories to fashion him as you like.
God have mercy on our souls. Vegas you know is in the desert. Why did we have to go off and stink up the desert. At times I feel my only recourse is to wander deeper into the darkness. Take some old trail and walk till I forget how to get back. To do so means to forsake community. My God does not allow that. He insists I live in community. But Vegas Jesus? Does it have to be Vegas? I know, I know. Israel had to live in Babylon, Jesus went down to Egypt. I have to walk the streets of Vegas.
Father forgive us our debts as we forgive those who are indebted to us. Forgive us for greed and covetousness. Forgive us for extravagant living. Forgive us for judging the poor and needy. Forgive us for giving you what's left instead what's best. Forgive us for being ashamed to say, "God owns the cattle on a 1000 hills," and that includes yours. Forgive us for thinking we can't make a difference, when you are the difference. Through the poverty of Jesus we have become rich. And so many don't even see it. They are too busy playing with their action-figure Jesus. Sola Gracia, WHB
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
The Poverty of Jesus, I love it. I finished reading Proverbs in chapel today... God speaks to my heart through those words. So on poverty...
Prov. 28.27,"No one gives who gives to the poor will never go short, but whoever closes his eyes will have curses in plenty.
Proverbs 29.7,"The upright understands the cause of the weak, and the wicked has not the wit to understand it."
So the if I empty myself out of all, physically and tangibly to the ones who evidence needs, Jesus will sustain me, or consume me. Either, I am OK with. What motivates us to His kingdom in a society that needs a good dose of divine drought right now?
Post a Comment