Tender-Hearted.

Fear makes us harden our hearts.

But God blesses the tender-hearted.

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Spirituality.

Saints are traditionally depicted with halos around their heads.

As if spirituality is somehow mental.

But true spirituality is of the heart.

And our hearts are in our bodies.

This brings into question the dichotomy between body and spirit.

Love, as the source of Life, is in our bodies.

So perhaps God's heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19) is the more accurate terminology.

Paul's body of death (Romans 7:24) seems inappropriate in this context.

This is a relic of ancient Asceticism which Paul inherited from the Pharisees.

It was never part of Jesus' teachings.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 byu the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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The Most High.

The nature of the Most High God is Love.

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Highest.

The highest vocation is Love.

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Faith.

Why do people try to take advantage of God's forgiveness but not change their behavior?

They do this out of fear.

"God forgives us."

"Good."

"But I can't change my behavior because if I do I will not be able to survive in this world."

They want to prosper.

This, in reality, is a lack of faith.

Jesus says of them: "You of little faith."  Matthew 16:10 (NRSV)

They are still looking to the world for their security not putting their faith in God.

For with God there is always enough.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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Radical.

"Sell everything you own."

"Love your enemies."

"Your sins are forgiven."

"Forgive them, Father."

These statements bear witness to the radical teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus was not some lukewarm moderate.

Neither was he a hard-line conservative.

Jesus was truly radical.

His teachings were new.

They had never been heard before.

But no matter how radical Jesus was God is more radical.

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Love.

The world's problems are caused by fear.

But every time you give your love you reduce the amount of fear in the world.

For love casts out fear.

And love is the universal panacea.

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