Reflection on the Lectionary: Luke 2:41-52
Animals: Tradition - Philosophy - Religion Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Stephen Kaufman, M.D., Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

Reflection on the Lectionary: Luke 2:41-52
(January 3, 2010)

This reading includes the following: “For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fulness of time, to unite all things on earth.”
 
This passage is one of many which describe a vision in which wisdom and insight reveal what our faith teaches is the divine goal for creation – unity. Related passages include Isaiah 11:6-9, Matthew 6:10, and Revelation 21:4. The Genesis 1-3 creation story describes how humanity and the rest of creation “fell” from a perfect state of peace and harmony into a world in which everyone struggles to survive. In that struggle, there is suffering and death, which the Bible never describes as desirable. Instead, suffering and death are tragic consequences of living in an imperfect world. How we respond to the world’s imperfections is the essence of morality.

Countless times each day we are confronted by choices that can increase or decrease the amount of suffering and death in the world. Similar to other faiths, a central component of Christian faith and practice is leading more just and righteous lives.

Indeed, the depth of our faith largely reflects whether or not we reject Christianity’s moral teachings. Therefore, The Christian Vegetarian Association’s mission is partly to encourage people to accept Christ by showing them that Christianity teaches boundless love, compassion, mercy, and peace. Another part is to bring the faith of Christ to Christians, many of whom have hearts hardened by amoral, secular standards of behavior or compassionless teachings from ministers.

Go on to: Commentary: Are We Becoming More Hardhearted?
Return to: Reflection on the Lectionary, Table of Contents 

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