Some Oservations on Our Humanity
September 01, 2023
" And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept." - Mark 14:72 ESV
"It is this simple: if I never try anything, I never learn anything." ~Hugh Prather
We must grow in grace.
We must grow in the depth of our spiritual and emotional sensitivity to others.
We must grow in empathy.
We must grow to know and reflect the heart of God.
We must become more human in the truest sense of humanity.
Our maturing relationship with eternity and humanity in humility is necessary for avoiding the travesties and atrocities for which humans have been responsible.
Pause.
P - Pursue something deeper for a moment than your own survival or gratification.
A - Acknowledge that there is a reality beyond our own.
U - Understand something of your own pain and reflect upon the reality that your pain connects you to the pain of the world.
S - Sympathize, for a moment, with the hurts of someone who is not like you, not of your tribe, and not of your persuasion.
E - Enter into another person life, experience, joy, sorrow, and struggle for long enough that it causes you discomfort.
Pause and connect. Pause and pray. Pause and deepen your understanding. Pause and rescue the world a little from a rapid decline into debauchery.
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Her city was under siege. A barrel of pitch was rolled out to the enemy lines where their armaments were. It was too dangerous to light it, however, and no one dared venture for, except one widow. She did so and was consumed in the process.
Her act of bravery and sacrifice bought her city enough time to survive the siege until help arrived.
Read more here: https://web.archive.org/web/20070929095501/http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/sources/ancona.htm

The 4 responses to injustice as we seek & work for Shalom:• compassion• development• advocacy & organizing
- Nikki Toyama-Szeto

Hebrews 13:3 - Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.
"Do you have eyes of flesh? Do you see as humans see?" -Job 10:4
The answer is embedded in the message of the Incarnation.
Yes. God enters into our perspective to see, feel, and experience our experiences.
He is transcended, immanent, present, knowing, and caring.
Let's start a conversation with God about becoming more human.