Brother Fire

In the Catholic world, we will be talking about the Beatitudes in a couple of weeks (4th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 2/3/2008) and I found this profound blog post, American Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, Part 1 from the Justice & Compassion blog. It's a vivid illustration how we Americans have distorted Jesus' message in His name. Please take a look at it and comment. Peace.

This was forwarded to me from the Long Island Council of Churches : National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East Tel/Fax: (360) 652-4285 E-Mail: usicpme@aol.com Memo To: Key Local Jewish, Christian and Muslim Leaders - Nationwide From: Ron Young, NILI Prayers for Peace: Pre-Annapolis Peace Conference At a meeting of NILI Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders on Friday, just before our meeting at the State Department, we decided to encourage nationwide prayers for peace in the Middle East at worship services on the weekend before the Annapolis Peace conference convenes. While the date is not yet announced, since the conference is expected to take place in late November or December, including prayers for peace in community Thanksgiving Services would also be timely. Attached are six "Prayers for Peace in the Middle East" by Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders in a format for easy duplication and distribution (copy back to back and cut in half) - ...

In this age of war & violence that is so unjust -- it seems hard to celebrate the birth of our country. However we forget that despite the fact that we may be unhappy about the current president and administration, we have much to be grateful for. I'm so glad to be American. I'm happy that we can replace this president and have the opportunity to make right what has been wronged. I am grateful that even though my rights as a citizen may have eroded in the past 7 years -- I still live in a great country that with mine and so many other votes will pave a way to great things for the U.S. There are so much that we take for granted as Americans. God has blessed us with so much! Again, while our leaders may be responsible for so much injustice and inequality, we still are in one of the wealthiest countries in the world that affords us much that so many don't have. And we have rights and luxuries that many don't have. I pray for those in the midst of combat -- ...