Christian Reflection and Prayer

The only way to be better rather than bitter
is to extend the same grace to others that
God extended to us through Jesus Christ

"I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven
over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine
virtuous men who have no need of repentance"
(Luke 15:7).

During the Vietnam War, the legendary pacifist
Pastor A.J. Muste stood in front of the White House
night after night with a lit candle, in persistent and
peaceful protest. A reporter asked him, "Do you
really think that standing here with a candle can
change the world?" He answered, "I don't stand
here with my candle to change the world. I stand
here to keep the world from changing me."

Lacordaire is the name of a very famous French
preacher who has gone down in the history of the
Church as one of its greatest. In many seminaries,
students are required to study his style in their
homiletics courses. He preached thrilling sermons.
Thousands of people would come to hear him. There
is a story about him in which he is seen attending a
worship service in a small rural parish. The sermon
was preached by a little-known Curate. When
Lacordaire was asked why he, a great preacher,
would go to a little Church to hear an unknown
preacher, he replied, "When I preach, people swarm
into the Church, and it becomes so crowded they
even climb atop the confession boxes in order to see
me. But when this humble man preaches, the people
go into the confession boxes -- and that is what the
world needs!"

REPENTANCE IS WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS----
REPENTANCE IS THE VERY FIRST STEP
INTO THE FULLNESS OF OUR HUMANITY.

(Excerpts from Sunday Sermons Online)

“He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.” — Psalm 136:25

A story is told about a prominent rabbi in
Jerusalem who was held in such high esteem by
his followers that wherever he walked, a large
number of followers accompanied him. One day,
as the rabbi walked home from prayers with the
usual entourage in tow, he heard the sound of
crying. The rabbi stopped and searched for the
source. He discovered a little girl wailing behind
a bush.

The rabbi’s followers watched speechlessly as the
elderly man sat himself on the ground, wiped
away the tears of the little girl, and asked what
was bothering her. “My friend told me that my
dress is ugly,” the girl cried. “You tell your friend
that I think your dress is beautiful,” replied the
rabbi. With that, the girl broke into a smile and
happily ran off to play.

Friends, let us remember that no job is beneath
us. Whether it is wiping away the tears of a child,
feeding the homeless, or even taking out the
garbage, it is our honor and privilege to help
other people. The great praise of God can be our
praise, too. When we humble ourselves before
others, we rise to great heights in the eyes of God.

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

(excerpts from Holy Land Moments)