I was struck, this morning, as I finished the office, to read these words from Ignatius of Antioch to the Christians in Rome, “The delights of this world and all its kingdoms will not profit me. I would prefer to die in Jesus Christ than to rule over all the earth.” If I remember correctly, these words were written while he was on his journey to Rome, under arrest, on his way to his death. And they were written during a time when the Church defined its faith by its martyrs. But I’m still struck, as he continues, “I seek him who died for us, I desire him who rose for us. I am in the throes of being born again.” (more…)
June 21, 2010
Being Born Anew in Chist
Posted by johnmangels under Looking for God | Tags: by John Mangels, Grateful, spiritual search |Leave a Comment
May 7, 2010
Grateful, Glad and Giving
Posted by johnmangels under Diocese of Northern California, Looking for God | Tags: by John Mangels, Economy, Glad and Giving, Grateful, Personal, spiritual search, stewardship, Susan Vick |1 Comment
Our diocese is trying to do something new with what we used to call stewardship. We’re trying to focus on what we have to be grateful for — all of which comes, of course, from G0d.
I have to admit that I have a real tendency to notice what I do not have, particularly if I used to have it, and often do not pay nearly so much attention to what I do have. Which is a lot. And I find this to be true whether I’m looking at money or youth or health or things. I know I have a lot (a whole lot compared to the rest of the world as a whole). And I still often notice more what I do not have. I suspect there are some other people like me out there. I think our culture trains us this way. (more…)
The Sunset Juggler (formerly The Dragon's Mouth) 