Blog - Joyful Curmudgeon - Blog
A Mary T. Hoffman Commentary from All-Creatures.org

 

"Joyful Curmudgeon" An oxymoron?
No! I see all the beauty of God's creation and I'm joyful.  At the same time, I see all the suffering and corruption going on in the world, and feel called to help expose and end it so that we may have true peace and compassion.

 

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Resurrection - 16 Apr 2006
By Mary T. Hoffman

People, myself included, are so used to hearing Jesus’ words in the scriptures, that they seem to forget how unusual (even drastic) his ideas must have seemed to those He was speaking to. Even today, we really don’t stop to think about the changes in thoughts and actions that His words urge us to make.

As an example, in Mark 3:32-35, when He is told that His Mother and His brothers are looking for Him, Jesus’ reply must have caused many to wonder:

32. And a multitude was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.”

33. And answering them, He said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?”

34. And looking about on those who were sitting around Him, He said, “Behold, My mother and My brothers!

35. “For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

~ The New American Standard Bible

On the surface, what He is saying may sound as though He is promoting family rebellion. However, that is not at all His intent. He wants us to love and respect our family members. But at the same time, we are to listen to God’s promptings, for each of us has a special calling to fulfill.

This thinking invites a new way of looking at our relationships. It is like saying that we are not tied to cultures and traditions that God’s Holy Spirit informs us are no longer acceptable. We are free to follow a better path – God’s way.

The Resurrection of Jesus should give us a fresh start and the courage to live, as far as possible, in God’s original intent. We are so used to mouthing the words of The Lord’s Prayer, that we don’t stop to really ponder what we are saying. In Matthew 6:10, we are told to pray that –

10. “Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.”

~ The New American Standard Bible

If we would all start trying to live the Lord’s teachings, instead of simply reciting pious words, this earth might seem a little bit more like heaven. And maybe, as a result, we would experience more of the joy mentioned in the Bible. With God’s help and our care, we can resurrect a better life than that which went before us.

Go on to: Seasons - 17 Apr 2006
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