The season of Advent has begun for many in the Christian tradition. This is a time of prayer, reflection and waiting for the birth of Jesus Christ. Advent is also the beginning of the church year. It’s a time of celebration and joy, too.
Christmas is on its way. Enjoy the journey.
1. American history is complex, messy, and not always a feel-good story. Lots of bloodshed and violence.
2. Christianity is complex, messy, and not always a feel good story. Lots of bloodshed and violence.
I think we need to be real that neither institution is absent of conflict and pain and heartache. I am still a Christian because I know Jesus is worth following. Likewise, I am still American for various reasons.
Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome and spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, passed away on April 21st, Easter Monday, from a stroke and heart failure. Earlier, he had been in the hospital for pneumonia. He was 88 years old. For 12 years he was Pope, and he made all those years count.
He was a Pope of the people. In his ministry he reached out to the marginalized, the immigrant, the LGBTQ community and was deeply concerned about issues of the environment and climate. Peace in Ukraine and Gaza were always on his heart and mind. He was more pastoral than some of his predecessors.
Francis, who was from Argentina, was the first Latin-America Pope ever. His life was about service and being humble. In his time at the Vatican, he lived frugally and without the bells and whistles of his office. Was he perfect, no.
He worked hard and practiced the command to love thy neighbors, and he made strides in bringing people of all walks of life together. I liked that he wanted to build bridges, not walls. He seemed to believe in building a bigger tent and to show mercy. He visited prisons, washed feet, and emulated Jesus Christ as best as he could.
His faith practice was at odds with some in the Catholic Church, but he was all about making the world a better place, no matter what his critics would say. All I can say is well done, good and faithful servant. Rest in power. You will be missed.
Today is a new month in December and for many in the Christian tradition the first Sunday of the season of Advent which leads to Christmas. Let’s hope for good days ahead as we conclude 2024.
I found this on the Facebook. I agree with it wholeheartedly. Christian Nationalism is not holy and it’s very narrow. Christ to all nations is in keeping with the teachings of Jesus and affirms the love for all people.
There is talk of Christian persecution. Meaning Christians are persecuted. As a Christian, I have never felt this. Not many of my friends have felt this either. However I have seen Christians persecuting others for this, that, or the other thing. If you want to see persecution check out African Americans, gypsies, indigenous people, LGTBQ, Muslims, and Jewish people who have been persecuted throughout time by “good” Christian people. I am a believer but I do feel like I need to call out the crap that I see by fellow members of the community. I am sorry to all persecuted by Christians who think they are doing “the work of The Lord”, you did nothing to deserve it.
The Tony Burgess Blog 