mat@hou4b.UUCP (Mark Terribile) (09/24/84)
> As I've said before, if there is a deity and if it's so self-centered > that it demands that I worship it over and above leading a good life > as a member of the human race, then anything I do isn't going to matter > to it, anyway. Who ever said that Christianity or Judaism ever called for that? I will probably get broiled for talking about Judaism ... a subject worthy of two lifetimes of study, but ... ``.. forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.'' would probably be considered a very Jewish prayer if it had not been Jesus who commanded we speak it. ``Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master Grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled at to console, To be loved as to love, To be understood as to understand, For it is giving that we receive, It is pardoning that we are pardoned, It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.'' -The Prayer of St. Francis From Sirach: The vengeful will suffer the LORD'S vengeance, for He remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the LORD? Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins? If he who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins? Remember your last days, set emnity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin! Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor, of the Most High's covenant, and overlook faults. From St. Paul, to the Romans: Owe no debt to anyone except the debt that binds us to love one another. He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder, you shall not steal; you shall not covet,'' and any other commandments there may be are summed up in this, ``You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'' Love never does any wrong to the neighbor, hence love is the fulfillment of the law. And from St. Matthew: ``How blest are the poor in spirit, the reign of God is theirs. Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled. Blest are they, the lowly, for they shall inherit the land. Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill. Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs. Blest are the single-hearted, for they shall see God. Blest too are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blest are those persecuted for holiness' sake; the reign of God is theirs.'' What more command to live as a good member of the human family could you want? We are called to forgive, and to treasure giving more than receipt. And our reward will be to reap what we have sown, or at least no worse. Indeed, it will be better, for Jesus has given himself in sacrifice for us ... for you and for me and for all those who have and have not heard His Word. -- from Mole End Mark Terribile (scrape .. dig ) hou4b!mat ,.. .,, ,,, ..,***_*.