And an Unlikely Candidate.
Usually you don't hear King David's escapades with Bathsheeba discussed very favorably -its usually a sermon on repentance. Like, what a dirtbag to take the wife of Uriah and send him to his death in battle to cover for his sins. Thank God David repented, mourned in sack-cloth and ashes and asked God's forgiveness for his wild adultery. I always wondered why God found such a guy someone he would want in the lineage of Jesus. What sort of ancestor is this to brag about? Why was King David so great that Jesus had to come from a Davidic line? Was Bathsheeba that great looking he would risk losing the respect of his entire kingdom?
But I got a clue to more of the story when an overlooked piece of translation was disclosed today - there is a phrase "wash your feet" which is embedded in the story. It is a euphemism for marital conjugal relations. (Now reread the story)
After the dirty deed, David learns Bathsheeba is pregnant so summons Uriah and tells him to go home and 'wash your feet.' He protests- how can I do that when my men are dying on the front line and need me? He refuses to go tend to his wife, he cares more about work and honor at that point. He was a war hero- he was more into impressing the boss- even when his boss knew his wife was beside herself and needed a man around because she was pregnant and alone. David thinks to himself- 'This isn't going to work.' He isn't going home!
David has a few choices here after Uriah doesn't obey him (which would have allowed him and everyone to think that his wife was pregnant with his-Uriah's child). David has to think fast- what are his choices? He can do nothing and the adultery of Bathsheeba will be discovered. Remember that at this time, as is currently the case in a few Muslim countries Adultery was such a serious crime that it warranted stoning. Remember how Jesus addressed the men who caught a woman in the act of adultery? They were about to stone her to death. We forget that this happened - for real. David would have had to know that if he did nothing sooner or later Bathsheeba, and his unborn child in her would have been dead soon enough.
So he decided to set Uriah up to die instead. God didn't strike dead David for this. He didn't kill off Bathsheeba- they become forebearers of Jesus in fact. God does punish David as the child conceived in adultery does not live.
What is the moral? What does this say? David isn't as much a dirtbag as the lust-tale at first glance suggests? It suggests that God might understand a man with a heart that wanted to take care of a scandalize-able woman and her unborn child. Who does that remind you of?
Mary, the mother of Jesus was pregnant without knowing a man- she was in a small town where it would have been noticed that she was pregnant and not exactly married - unless Joseph stepped up to the plate and saved her from what would have been viewed as stone-able scandal in the eyes of the culture at the time.
God has a heart for women, he desires that they not be scandalized, not ridiculed or marginalized, not be abandoned or left alone especially when in need because they carry the potential of life within them.
Just look at how he told the men ready to stone someone to death to back off a woman who might be the same Mary Magdalene who became his loyal apostle.
King David went to extremes to save a woman- and save her literally from certain eventual death.
It might have angered David that Uriah didn't have enough regard for his wife to even check in on her to see that all was well when the King his boss was telling him to go home with haste.
While you may think that there is no excuse for David's behavior in bedding the object of his unbridled lust, God may be looking at his heart in a different way. David knew how to Honor a Woman. Save her from Scandal and Distress. And those are the very qualities he also found in Joseph the step-father of Jesus.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
The Last Judgment
Matthew 25.
There is a picture of the "Last Judgment" on the Sistine Chapel wall frescoed with Jesus in the middle. It alone is worth the visit.
There is only once account in the Christian scripture New Testament of what happens when we die-it is in the 25th chapter of the book of Matthew.
I will paraphrase. In the last days Jesus will separate the 'sheep' from the 'goats.' The sheep will be with him eternally in paradise and the goats go to unending torment, weeping, gnashing of teeth, etc. A parade of horribles and soul torment too ghastly to even write about.
What is his criteria ?
If you see someone you consider the "least, last, lost" - the 'least of these my brethren' and you do these things, he credits it as if you did it to him. If you put clothes on the back of a naked person, if you feed the hungry, or give drink to the thirsty, if you visit or heal the sick, if you visit the person in prison, if you free the captive. If you do this to the least, the last, the lost, the downtrodden, the person who can't do it for themselves, its as if you did it to him. Not For him, To Him. It is as if he comes disguised as weakness -the weakness of an infant who needed everything- and needs to see how generous, how egoless we can be to assist those in want. That is at the heart of Love, not Pity, but Love of fellow mankind.
It's a really simple formula, but one that only some people take seriously. Apparently Sarge Shriver did, as told by his son recently at a CIC book talk event. This motivated his public life, his setting up the Peace Corps out of nothing, his funding Head Start programs across the country and his War on Poverty.
The book "A Good Man" is really inspirational and I highly recommend it. When the young Shriver talks about his Dad choking back tears, you can tell that he still inspires his life "to be a better father, a better husband and a better friend" as he discussed his father's impact on him and those he touched. Sarge Shriver didn't get into political head games. He went to Mass every day. "Not every other day or when he felt like it, Every Day" said his son. And he carried a Rosary everywhere.
If you get a chance to see Mark Shriver talk about his Dad at a book signing anywhere you should go. He will autograph a book for you.
There is a picture of the "Last Judgment" on the Sistine Chapel wall frescoed with Jesus in the middle. It alone is worth the visit.
There is only once account in the Christian scripture New Testament of what happens when we die-it is in the 25th chapter of the book of Matthew.
I will paraphrase. In the last days Jesus will separate the 'sheep' from the 'goats.' The sheep will be with him eternally in paradise and the goats go to unending torment, weeping, gnashing of teeth, etc. A parade of horribles and soul torment too ghastly to even write about.
What is his criteria ?
If you see someone you consider the "least, last, lost" - the 'least of these my brethren' and you do these things, he credits it as if you did it to him. If you put clothes on the back of a naked person, if you feed the hungry, or give drink to the thirsty, if you visit or heal the sick, if you visit the person in prison, if you free the captive. If you do this to the least, the last, the lost, the downtrodden, the person who can't do it for themselves, its as if you did it to him. Not For him, To Him. It is as if he comes disguised as weakness -the weakness of an infant who needed everything- and needs to see how generous, how egoless we can be to assist those in want. That is at the heart of Love, not Pity, but Love of fellow mankind.
It's a really simple formula, but one that only some people take seriously. Apparently Sarge Shriver did, as told by his son recently at a CIC book talk event. This motivated his public life, his setting up the Peace Corps out of nothing, his funding Head Start programs across the country and his War on Poverty.
The book "A Good Man" is really inspirational and I highly recommend it. When the young Shriver talks about his Dad choking back tears, you can tell that he still inspires his life "to be a better father, a better husband and a better friend" as he discussed his father's impact on him and those he touched. Sarge Shriver didn't get into political head games. He went to Mass every day. "Not every other day or when he felt like it, Every Day" said his son. And he carried a Rosary everywhere.
If you get a chance to see Mark Shriver talk about his Dad at a book signing anywhere you should go. He will autograph a book for you.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
DC's CATHOLIC INFORMATION CENTER PRESENTS
Thursday, July 26 at 6:00 PM for a book signing and reception with
Mark Shriver
When Sargent "Sarge" Shriver—founder of the Peace Corps and architect of President Johnson's War on Poverty—died in 2011 after a valiant fight with Alzheimer's, thousands of tributes poured in from friends and strangers worldwide. These tributes, which extolled the daily kindness and humanity of "a good man," moved his son Mark far more than those who lauded Sarge for his big-stage, headline-making accomplishments. After a lifetime searching for the path to his father's success in the public arena, Mark instead turns to a search for the secret of his father's joy, his devotion to others, and his sense of purpose. Mark discovers notes and letters from Sarge; hears personal stories from friends and family that zero in on the three guiding principles of Sarge's life—faith, hope, and love—and recounts moments with Sarge that now take on new value and poignancy. In the process, Mark discovers much about himself, as a father, as a husband, and as a social justice advocate. "A Good Man" is an inspirational and deeply personal story about a son discovering the true meaning of his father's legacy. Mark K. Shriver is the senior vice president of U.S. Programs at Save the Children in Washington, D.C., and a former Maryland state legislator. Shriver also started the Choice Program and served on the coalition to create the National Commission on Children and Disasters following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. He lives with his wife and three children in Maryland. Please Note: If you are unable to attend the event but would like books signed to you, please call to reserve copies or email books@cicdc.org. ******************************
The Catholic Information Center is right on K Street, catecorner from McPherson Square.
Thursday, July 26 at 6:00 PM for a book signing and reception with
Mark Shriver
When Sargent "Sarge" Shriver—founder of the Peace Corps and architect of President Johnson's War on Poverty—died in 2011 after a valiant fight with Alzheimer's, thousands of tributes poured in from friends and strangers worldwide. These tributes, which extolled the daily kindness and humanity of "a good man," moved his son Mark far more than those who lauded Sarge for his big-stage, headline-making accomplishments. After a lifetime searching for the path to his father's success in the public arena, Mark instead turns to a search for the secret of his father's joy, his devotion to others, and his sense of purpose. Mark discovers notes and letters from Sarge; hears personal stories from friends and family that zero in on the three guiding principles of Sarge's life—faith, hope, and love—and recounts moments with Sarge that now take on new value and poignancy. In the process, Mark discovers much about himself, as a father, as a husband, and as a social justice advocate. "A Good Man" is an inspirational and deeply personal story about a son discovering the true meaning of his father's legacy. Mark K. Shriver is the senior vice president of U.S. Programs at Save the Children in Washington, D.C., and a former Maryland state legislator. Shriver also started the Choice Program and served on the coalition to create the National Commission on Children and Disasters following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. He lives with his wife and three children in Maryland. Please Note: If you are unable to attend the event but would like books signed to you, please call to reserve copies or email books@cicdc.org. ******************************
The Catholic Information Center is right on K Street, catecorner from McPherson Square.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Learning War No More
COMBATANTS FOR PEACE
http://cfpeace.org/
There are a lot of Peace groups and efforts who show up and give presentations of what they are doing in Washington, DC. Its practically a non profit industry here. There are fantastic groups of all religions trying to make peace- the J Street, Jewish group, the HCEF, Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, muslim organizations like the Rumi Forum who are committed to Non Violence, but there is only one comprised of people who have actually been in armed conflict and who then
spiritually elevated to such a place of blessing enemies that they formed a binational group together called the Combattants For Peace. These are people who once were warriors for their countries who now are proud to be called 'refusniks' or 'peace soldiers' or just friends of God.
Both Israeli former soldiers, even officers in the Israeli army, and Palestinian freedom fighters in the 'occupied territories' have formed this organization called Combatants for Peace- and they want to meet with you, J Street, and you HCEF to see what we all can do together to stop the cycle of violence plaguing Israel and Palestinian territories.
Today at Carnegie they showed a movie sponsored by an unassuming guy from "Billboards from BETHLEHEM" who organized in Israel palestinian and israeli kids 'painting for peace' painting a billboard showing people laying down arms in support of a lasting Peace.
Then testimonies were shared- the palestinian freedom fighter whose family saw torture in prison, the Israeli who was raiding homes and confronted with a woman crying who looked too similar to his grandmother not to make an impression on his soul, all spoke movingly about conversion experiences of loving enemies and wishing peace to rule and reign in Israel.
The event was sponsored jointly by the Middle East Institute, Churches for Middle East Peace and a host of other organizations. J Street, HCEF , Rumi Forum and anyone else interested should meet these brave souls who risk their lives every day to be advocates of non violence, in the tradition of Ghandi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.
These gentlemen should be invited to the White House to tell of their stories.
The Two State Solution and a Palestinian State can be a reality, while at the same time preserving legitimate security interests with the assistance of this group. We can Change the World. Please pray for the Combatants for Peace.
http://cfpeace.org/
There are a lot of Peace groups and efforts who show up and give presentations of what they are doing in Washington, DC. Its practically a non profit industry here. There are fantastic groups of all religions trying to make peace- the J Street, Jewish group, the HCEF, Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, muslim organizations like the Rumi Forum who are committed to Non Violence, but there is only one comprised of people who have actually been in armed conflict and who then
spiritually elevated to such a place of blessing enemies that they formed a binational group together called the Combattants For Peace. These are people who once were warriors for their countries who now are proud to be called 'refusniks' or 'peace soldiers' or just friends of God.
Both Israeli former soldiers, even officers in the Israeli army, and Palestinian freedom fighters in the 'occupied territories' have formed this organization called Combatants for Peace- and they want to meet with you, J Street, and you HCEF to see what we all can do together to stop the cycle of violence plaguing Israel and Palestinian territories.
Today at Carnegie they showed a movie sponsored by an unassuming guy from "Billboards from BETHLEHEM" who organized in Israel palestinian and israeli kids 'painting for peace' painting a billboard showing people laying down arms in support of a lasting Peace.
Then testimonies were shared- the palestinian freedom fighter whose family saw torture in prison, the Israeli who was raiding homes and confronted with a woman crying who looked too similar to his grandmother not to make an impression on his soul, all spoke movingly about conversion experiences of loving enemies and wishing peace to rule and reign in Israel.
The event was sponsored jointly by the Middle East Institute, Churches for Middle East Peace and a host of other organizations. J Street, HCEF , Rumi Forum and anyone else interested should meet these brave souls who risk their lives every day to be advocates of non violence, in the tradition of Ghandi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.
These gentlemen should be invited to the White House to tell of their stories.
The Two State Solution and a Palestinian State can be a reality, while at the same time preserving legitimate security interests with the assistance of this group. We can Change the World. Please pray for the Combatants for Peace.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
And if you missed the Best of Bastille Day
You Can Go To This on Thursday (my apologies for tempting those all fasting for Ramadan on Thursday)
Dear Friends of La Maison Française,
This Thursday, July 19 at 7 p.m., we’re hosting our season finale wine tasting with a special evening dedicated to rosés and desserts – the perfect combination for this time of year!
Rosé wines are increasingly popular in the U.S. as well as in Europe and we would like to give you the keys to better understand them and be able to select them in the future with confidence.
For this session, wine expert Claire Morin-Gibourg has selected the very best of the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of France, located on the Mediterranean Sea, nestled between Toulouse and Marseille. With the instruction of wine teacher Vincent Morin, you will discover the extremely versatile rosé while savoring delectable desserts.
List of wines for this session
- Vignerons de la Méditerranée Les Deux Rives Corbières Rosé 2011
- Gilles Louvet Elément Terre Rosé 2010
- Gérard Bertrand "Réserve Spéciale" Syrah Rosé 2010
- Château de Lancyre Rosé 2011
- Laurent Miquel Cinsault Syrah 2011
Join us and enjoy the best, most refreshing wines, while savoring desserts!
WHAT: Rosé wine tasting with desserts at the Embassy of France
WHEN: Thursday, July 19 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: La Maison Française, Embassy of France, 4101 Reservoir Rd, NW
ADMISSION: $70
TICKETS: www.InstantSeats.com
Dear Friends of La Maison Française,
This Thursday, July 19 at 7 p.m., we’re hosting our season finale wine tasting with a special evening dedicated to rosés and desserts – the perfect combination for this time of year!
Rosé wines are increasingly popular in the U.S. as well as in Europe and we would like to give you the keys to better understand them and be able to select them in the future with confidence.
For this session, wine expert Claire Morin-Gibourg has selected the very best of the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of France, located on the Mediterranean Sea, nestled between Toulouse and Marseille. With the instruction of wine teacher Vincent Morin, you will discover the extremely versatile rosé while savoring delectable desserts.
List of wines for this session
- Vignerons de la Méditerranée Les Deux Rives Corbières Rosé 2011
- Gilles Louvet Elément Terre Rosé 2010
- Gérard Bertrand "Réserve Spéciale" Syrah Rosé 2010
- Château de Lancyre Rosé 2011
- Laurent Miquel Cinsault Syrah 2011
Join us and enjoy the best, most refreshing wines, while savoring desserts!
WHAT: Rosé wine tasting with desserts at the Embassy of France
WHEN: Thursday, July 19 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: La Maison Française, Embassy of France, 4101 Reservoir Rd, NW
ADMISSION: $70
TICKETS: www.InstantSeats.com
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
How do you Cheat on Someone
When you aren't even physical?
Emotional Adultery is a bigger problem than physical. If you lost his or her heart, the body may or may not follow- but you still lost the loved one. Do you understand really what the word "cherish" means? Or are you just a player? The commandment is not to 'covet' meaning something short of actually a physical act- and Jesus said basically don't even THINK about it. So how do people get in trouble with emotional adultery?
This guy explains it well:
Emotional Adultery is a bigger problem than physical. If you lost his or her heart, the body may or may not follow- but you still lost the loved one. Do you understand really what the word "cherish" means? Or are you just a player? The commandment is not to 'covet' meaning something short of actually a physical act- and Jesus said basically don't even THINK about it. So how do people get in trouble with emotional adultery?
This guy explains it well:
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