Christian Reflection and Prayer

Eugene O'Neill wrote a wonderful play called
"Lazarus Laughed." The play begins with Lazarus
being raised from the dead by Jesus, as in the
Bible story. People have gathered at Lazarus' home
in Bethany for what they thought was going to be a
funeral. They had come to mourn. But now, Lazarus
has been raised from the dead and the grieving has
been transformed into rejoicing. And then came the
questions: "What did you see during those four days
when you were dead? What was it like -- the life beyond?"

In the midst of it all, Lazarus' father proposes a toast:
"To my son, Lazarus, whom a blessed miracle has
brought back from death!" Hearing this, Lazarus says,
"No! There is no death!" And the people, holding their
wine goblets in midair all echo his words as a question:
"There is no death?" And Lazarus laughs, and he says
happily,

"There is only life! I heard the heart of Jesus laughing in
my heart. 'There is only eternal life,' it said. And my heart,
reborn to love of life, cried 'Yes.' And I laughed in the
laughter of God. Laugh, laugh with me! Death is dead!
Fear is no more! There is only life!"

We hear the words... we may even echo the words, but
do we really believe them? We say, 'This sort of talk is
hard to endure! How can anyone take it seriously?' And
then like Peter we answer, "Lord, you have the words of
eternal life. We have come to believe"...

HAVE YOU COME TO BELIEVE?

( Sunday Sermons Online)

Scripture:

"God blesses those who are poor and realize
their need for him,* for the Kingdom of Heaven
is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for
they will be comforted. God blesses those who
are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
Matthew 5:3-5, NLT

Reflection:

Jesus began his sermon with words that seem
to contradict each other. But God's way of living
usually contradicts the world's.
If you want to live for God you must be ready to
say and do what seems strange to the world.
You must be willing to give when others take, to
love when others hate, to help when others abuse.
By giving up your own rights in order to serve others,
you will one day receive everything God has in store
for you.

(Life Application Daily Devotion)

Attacks against Muslims in Illinois are increasing.
Will you join the faith community in responding?

Just this week, your Muslim neighbors in the
Chicago suburbs were targeted when:
* A man fired shots at a mosque in Morton Grove
while 500 people prayed inside last Friday night.[i]
    * Two nights later in Lombard, a homemade
bomb exploded outside an Islamic school during
evening prayers.[ii]

We’re thankful that no one was injured by these
hate crimes, but unfortunately these are not isolated
incidents. From the Sikh temple shooting near
Milwaukee to the burning of a mosque in Joplin, Mo.,
attacks on religious minorities are increasing. We are
angered by this violence and threat to religious freedom.

Christians need to help mend this brokenness in Illinois
and offer a witness of love in the midst of hate.

Just this week, the Council on American-Islamic
Relations issued a safety advisory for mosques. We are
outraged that it’s gotten this bad in the U.S. We honor
the United States’ proud tradition of religious freedom –
and we know that Christians are all called by our faith
to show God’s love to those around us.

As people of faith, we have the opportunity to speak
out against this violence and show our Muslim neighbors
that we love them.

(Sojourners GO TO http://sojo.net/ TO HELP).