Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief

 

“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief.
 Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now.
 You are not obligated to complete the work,
 but neither are you free to abandon it.”
~ The Talmud

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Message of Pope Francis I for the 48th World Communications Day

Communication at the Service of an Authentic Culture of Encounter

[Sunday, 1 June 2014]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we are living in a world which is growing ever “smaller” and where, as a result, it would seem to be easier for all of us to be neighbours. Developments in travel and communications technology are bringing us closer together and making us more connected, even as globalization makes us increasingly interdependent. Nonetheless, divisions, which are sometimes quite deep, continue to exist within our human family. On the global level we see a scandalous gap between the opulence of the wealthy and the utter destitution of the poor. Often we need only walk the streets of a city to see the contrast between people living on the street and the brilliant lights of the store windows. We have become so accustomed to these things that they no longer unsettle us. Our world suffers from many forms of exclusion, marginalization and poverty, to say nothing of conflicts born of a combination of economic, political, ideological, and, sadly, even religious motives.

In a world like this, media can help us to feel closer to one another, creating a sense of the unity of the human family which can in turn inspire solidarity and serious efforts to ensure a more dignified life for all. Good communication helps us to grow closer, to know one another better, and ultimately, to grow in unity. The walls which divide us can be broken down only if we are prepared to listen and learn from one another. We need to resolve our differences through forms of dialogue which help us grow in understanding and mutual respect. A culture of encounter demands that we be ready not only to give, but also to receive. Media can help us greatly in this, especially nowadays, when the networks of human communication have made unprecedented advances. The internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something truly good, a gift from God.

This is not to say that certain problems do not exist. The speed with which information is communicated exceeds our capacity for reflection and judgement, and this does not make for more balanced and proper forms of self-expression. The variety of opinions being aired can be seen as helpful, but it also enables people to barricade themselves behind sources of information which only confirm their own wishes and ideas, or political and economic interests. The world of communications can help us either to expand our knowledge or to lose our bearings. The desire for digital connectivity can have the effect of isolating us from our neighbours, from those closest to us. We should not overlook the fact that those who for whatever reason lack access to social media run the risk of being left behind.

While these drawbacks are real, they do not justify rejecting social media; rather, they remind us that communication is ultimately a human rather than technological achievement. What is it, then, that helps us, in the digital environment, to grow in humanity and mutual understanding? We need, for example, to recover a certain sense of deliberateness and calm. This calls for time and the ability to be silent and to listen. We need also to be patient if we want to understand those who are different from us. People only express themselves fully when they are not merely tolerated, but know that they are truly accepted. If we are genuinely attentive in listening to others, we will learn to look at the world with different eyes and come to appreciate the richness of human experience as manifested in different cultures and traditions. We will also learn to appreciate more fully the important values inspired by Christianity, such as the vision of the human person, the nature of marriage and the family, the proper distinction between the religious and political spheres, the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, and many others.

La parabola del Buon Samaritano Messina Chiesa della Medaglia Miracolosa Casa di Ospitalità Collereale (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How, then, can communication be at the service of an authentic culture of encounter? What does it mean for us, as disciples of the Lord, to encounter others in the light of the Gospel? In spite of our own limitations and sinfulness, how do we draw truly close to one another? These questions are summed up in what a scribe – a communicator – once asked Jesus: “And who is my neighbour?” (Lk 10:29). This question can help us to see communication in terms of “neighbourliness”. We might paraphrase the question in this way: How can we be “neighbourly” in our use of the communications media and in the new environment created by digital technology? I find an answer in the parable of the Good Samaritan, which is also a parable about communication. Those who communicate, in effect, become neighbours. The Good Samaritan not only draws nearer to the man he finds half dead on the side of the road; he takes responsibility for him. Jesus shifts our understanding: it is not just about seeing the other as someone like myself, but of the ability to make myself like the other. Communication is really about realizing that we are all human beings, children of God. I like seeing this power of communication as “neighbourliness”.

Whenever communication is primarily aimed at promoting consumption or manipulating others, we are dealing with a form of violent aggression like that suffered by the man in the parable, who was beaten by robbers and left abandoned on the road. The Levite and the priest do not regard him as a neighbour, but as a stranger to be kept at a distance. In those days, it was rules of ritual purity which conditioned their response. Nowadays there is a danger that certain media so condition our responses that we fail to see our real neighbour.

It is not enough to be passersby on the digital highways, simply “connected”; connections need to grow into true encounters. We cannot live apart, closed in on ourselves. We need to love and to be loved. We need tenderness. Media strategies do not ensure beauty, goodness and truth in communication. The world of media also has to be concerned with humanity, it too is called to show tenderness. The digital world can be an environment rich in humanity; a network not of wires but of people. The impartiality of media is merely an appearance; only those who go out of themselves in their communication can become a true point of reference for others. Personal engagement is the basis of the trustworthiness of a communicator. Christian witness, thanks to the internet, can thereby reach the peripheries of human existence.

As I have frequently observed, if a choice has to be made between a bruised Church which goes out to the streets and a Church suffering from self-absorption, I certainly prefer the first. Those “streets” are the world where people live and where they can be reached, both effectively and affectively. The digital highway is one of them, a street teeming with people who are often hurting, men and women looking for salvation or hope. By means of the internet, the Christian message can reach “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Keeping the doors of our churches open also means keeping them open in the digital environment so that people, whatever their situation in life, can enter, and so that the Gospel can go out to reach everyone. We are called to show that the Church is the home of all. Are we capable of communicating the image of such a Church? Communication is a means of expressing the missionary vocation of the entire Church; today the social networks are one way to experience this call to discover the beauty of faith, the beauty of encountering Christ. In the area of communications too, we need a Church capable of bringing warmth and of stirring hearts.

Effective Christian witness is not about bombarding people with religious messages, but about our willingness to be available to others “by patiently and respectfully engaging their questions and their doubts as they advance in their search for the truth and the meaning of human existence” (BENEDICT XVI, Message for the 47th World Communications Day, 2013). We need but recall the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. We have to be able to dialogue with the men and women of today, to understand their expectations, doubts and hopes, and to bring them the Gospel, Jesus Christ himself, God incarnate, who died and rose to free us from sin and death. We are challenged to be people of depth, attentive to what is happening around us and spiritually alert. To dialogue means to believe that the “other” has something worthwhile to say, and to entertain his or her point of view and perspective. Engaging in dialogue does not mean renouncing our own ideas and traditions, but the claim that they alone are valid or absolute.

May the image of the Good Samaritan who tended to the wounds of the injured man by pouring oil and wine over them be our inspiration. Let our communication be a balm which relieves pain and a fine wine which gladdens hearts. May the light we bring to others not be the result of cosmetics or special effects, but rather of our being loving and merciful “neighbours” to those wounded and left on the side of the road. Let us boldly become citizens of the digital world. The Church needs to be concerned for, and present in, the world of communication, in order to dialogue with people today and to help them encounter Christ. She needs to be a Church at the side of others, capable of accompanying everyone along the way. The revolution taking place in communications media and in information technologies represents a great and thrilling challenge; may we respond to that challenge with fresh energy and imagination as we seek to share with others the beauty of God.

From the Vatican, 24 January 2014, the Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales.

FRANCIS

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Walking alone?

Often times in our Christian lives we feel that we are walking alone. Not only are we walking alone, but when it comes to following the direction of God, we feel that we are standing alone. We feel as if there is no one who will stand beside us. We just feel alone.

But are we alone? Do we want to be alone?

There will be times where we must Stand Alone, but that does not mean we are really standing on our own without without Christ or without his Father, our God, the divine Creator Who as a Spirit is everywhere every time. God is always with His creation.


The apostle Paul did know that he had to do a big battle, but that he was not left alone to do it.
Luke was mentioned as being present with Paul at the end, but Paul still did felt “at my first answer no man stood with me…” except “…the Lord stood with me…”

We may have no guilt in life, no fear in death because we can find the power of Christ in us.
From life’s first cry to final breath Jesus should command our destiny. By following Christ Jesus, Jeshua the son of God, no power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck us from Jesus his hand nor from God His hand.


Like the apostle Paul and the first Christians we have to do more than our part at first. We might feel alone in this big world of materialism which does not seem to be interested in a future life nor a god.

Often we are thinking we are important in this world. But are we really that? Are we not just like a little grain of sand on the beach?
We may become of certain importance but than we also have to make others feel important – because they are. We should be concerned about their future and let them feel that we are not only interested in ourselves.


When we are willing to willing to get uncomfortable, at the same time trusting in the Creator God, we should not worry so much. We may trust that He Who started to work in us will bring us further on our way. (Philippians 1:6)

We also mostly forget that when we need a helping hand, we may find one at the end of our arm.

As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands.  One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
- Audrey Hepburn

“What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?”
- George Eliot

“Determine never to be idle… It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.”
— Thomas Jefferson

How bouncy are you? Can you use setbacks to spring you into new realizations? Use insults or criticisms to lift you into new heights?
The next time you get knocked down, remember that you have a choice whether you want to rest first, or bounce right back up.
Try it right now. See if you can bounce off any resistance or bad feelings. See how high you can go. See if you can shift your view.
- From Thought For Today.

In the power of Christ we shall be able to stand .



Please do find:

Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #6 Prayer #4 Attitude 

Stand Alone

Taming the Beast

Thinking Like an Elephant

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Don't Envy the World

Our flesh has the basic characteristic of envy and it’s something that our spiritual mind has to keep under control. It is something that the Psalmist says almost got the better of him. 

Have you ever thought sometimes that being a disciple of Christ means you are missing out on the things of the world? Have you ever thought about what life would be like if you had never come to a knowledge of Jesus. Imagine what it would be like to live our lives in pursuit of happiness through money, possessions, social status and to not have the moral constraints places upon us having accepted Christ as our saviour.

Are we ever envious of those who live in the world? Does it seem like they get all the freedom and fun in life? I'm sure we can all think of examples in our own lives where our beliefs have prevented us from doing something that we would have liked to do.

Continue reading.... Don't Envy the World - Sermon


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We have a choice. The riches of God, or the riches of the world. Will we allow ourselves to get caught up in the prosperity of the world like in the parable of the rich man who built bigger barns to store his wealth? Or when we look over the fence in to the world outside as the Psalmist did, will we come to our senses and realise that true riches lie within God’s sanctuary.  

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Envy (Photo credit: NRK P3)

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Words in the world

The world is revolving all the time and we are just a small part in it.

For thousands of years humans had to find themselves a rightful space to live adequately and looked for different ways to make their life as enjoyable as possible. Men thought a lot about the reasons why we live and what we have to do, where we going to and what happens as we die.

There have always been more questions in a human life than answers. Many humans used their brains to find answers and solutions and where willing to share their thoughts with others.

In previous times some people wanted to present the world as a tree bringing knowledge tradition, extending between earth and heaven, being a vital connection between the world of the unknown, possible heavenly creatures or spirits, gods and the world of man.
Today people are more rational and think of a black hole and a big bang followed by an evolution to come back to an end by a big explosion.

Many ideas, many scientific explanations. Lots of writings, lots of discussions.

In between all those books and words of human beings, you can find people who consider it more worthwhile to listen to the words written in some very old books. They believe those ancient writings are timeless, and do bring us the history of the people of God and show us the way to come to a better life. We can believe it or not, we can take it or leave it.

Men has been intrigued from the beginning about his position in the world. Many also wondered about gods or higher spiritual beings. Christadelphians are no different. They also questioned the existence of man. They too are concerned with earth, the plants and the animals, and the human beings who can make or destroy a lot of things in the universe.

We also wonder about the world and face the stories about creation, myths and doctrines. We too are confronted with different opinions and religions. Myth and mythology have fostered for many years many thinkers. There have come a lot of fields in existence were scholarship took time and effort to study the importance of the world and the human being.
Buddhism, Christianity,Hinduism, Judaism, Taoism and so many more forms of thinking religious or mythical gave the world lots of books and many words which turn around our ears to bring us either in confusion or to bring us along several paths in this world.

In the Christadelphian World humble pacifist people would like to share their love with others all over the world. Here you will be able to find thoughts from a specific angle. Christadelphians, could be seen as people who live in the phila delphia or in christadelphia as brothers in the city of Christ. As brothers and sisters we want to share our time and knowledge, to educate each other and to grow in Christ. The Jewish teacher who lived about two thousand years ago, and wanted the world to show the works of his Father, the Only One God in heaven. Yes that is the only thing we should take as a sort of dogma. For all the rest we do not need any dogma. Everything is explained in the Words of that One God, who is One.

That is the only facet which requires full faith without a clear proof. Christadelphian people believe in that One God, who is a spirit and not something physical touchable. This Spirit who is One God of gods has created everything around us. It may be a ghost but we do not have to be afraid of him, who also has a Name of which we should not be afraid. He is the Most High in which we should have faith and confidence.
We have the Creator of heaven and earth and everything around יהוה who exists and has given His Word which is inspired and infallible. In a special way He took care that the world could be saved by man who was willing to give his life for many. This Jewish man, Jeshua from Nazareth, better known as Jesus Christ is the long awaited Messiah. Jesus tried to show the world what it had to believe and what would happen to it. God had put His hope in him and also we should put our hope in this humble man who could preach like none. In him we got a better future.

This man's words were written down by his disciples, who also wrote down the history of the first followers of Jesus. By his teachings and according the way the first followers of Christ wanted to build up their community we also like to build up a community according the teachings of Christ and his apostles and according the Will of God so that we can get a life with God. Christadelphians want to nurture a close relationship with God the Creator.

Many people should better get a Fear of God as reason to return to Holy Scriptures, and get to read the Bestseller of all times, The book of books, the Bible.

How should we react against the world

First of all let me say that there are different opinions on the matter how we may be involved in the affairs of the world. I personally find that we may not be  unaware, unconsious, insensitive and should try to help where we can.

when I look in my mailbox I become bombarded with loads of requests to join many causes. Can we take part in those causes which seem to us to reflect some of the things we believe or were we can stand behind? Are we limited how far we can go and which organization we may trust and help. - I think so.

What is your opinion?

This month's survey question:

Should we participate in protest movements?

Yes! How else will we change the world?
No! God will change the world, not us!
Yes but cautiously and non-violently.
Christianity is irrelevant to real world issues.
Don't know.

Go to http://thisisyourbible.com/ to bring out this months vote.
The Bible Answer to Revolution and Human Rights

• Protest and Violence
• Grumbling and Discontent
• What was the Message of the Apostles?
• Freedom . . . and Bondage
• Social Reforms
• What would Jesus do?
• Jesus and the Authorities
• "Resist not evil"
• Rules for Living
• The Peace Movement
• Should a Christian protest?
• Preaching the Kingdom
• God's "Rights"
• God is in Control
• When will God put things right?
• Signs of the Times
• Citizens of a Heavenly Kingdom
• The Final Question

A concrete picture of what is to come in the future

The Bible gives us a concrete picture of what is to come in the future: the Kingdom of God. The coming Kingdom is to be a political reality, based upon the earth on which we live. It can therefore be revealed to us in terms which we can understand. The hope set before us is not that of going off to some unknown place when we die, but of living again in a material body (though different in nature) on the earth on which we now live. We look, not for something totally new and different, but for the present state of things on earth to be changed and improved. The changes will be very great and the improvements vast, but it will still be the earth on which we now live. We can relate what the Bible says about this future age to what we know the world today is like. Freedom from disease, no war, agricultural plenty - these will be part of the age to come, and we can contrast such things with today's world and look forward to this new age.

Continue reading > Nature of the afterlife

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2016 linkupdate

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God Watches

Is the world out of control? Sometimes it seems like it when we live in fear of terrorists, global warming, financial insecurity and minority groups that rise to power. Our futures seem so unpredictable, especially as violence and crime rise - even in our own neighbourhoods. But Zechariah has a message for us today that will help set our hearts at peace.

"For the eye of the LORD is on all mankind as well as on the tribes of Israel." (Zech 9:1[mg]) God knows exactly what is going on in the world we live in. He knew what it would be like before we experienced it, and he has a plan for the future that will right all the wrongs that are currently happening. God's plan is detailed in the rest of Zechariah 9 where he explains that he will send his King, Jesus, to proclaim peace to the nations, to save his people and to destroy God's enemies.

Hews prating at tomb of Zechariah. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The world may seen like it is out of control, but with God's watchful eye overseeing everything that happens, he will not let it go too far but will intervene at just the right time to save us from destruction. So let's not let ourselves be worried about the things that are happening. God said they would. Instead let them strengthen our faith and make us look forward all the more eagerly to the return of Christ.

- Robert Prins

Dutch translation / Nederlandse vertaling > God Kijkt toe

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2013 update:

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