Bump
This sounds like a variation of the “We are in the world but not of the world” message contained in the High Priestly Prayer of John 17.
Having been an obese bookworm going through public schools, I was an outcast my entire young life, and I credit that with my faith in God. So often today kids are consumed with social media and video games, movies, TV, and sex that morality and closeness to God are not even in their vernacular. Adults are much the same, oftentimes struggling to be relevant in their own social circles in spite of their beliefs. I know I’ve done it.
If we live in the margins, even for a brief time, I believe we can put aside the noise, the static of life, and that allows us to better connect with God spiritually since so much of life today is vacuous and unnecessary.
Hmmm...
In Matthew, a rich young man asks Jesus what actions bring eternal life. First Jesus advises the man to obey the commandments. When the man responds that he already observes them, and asks what else he can do, Jesus adds:
If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
Luke has a similar episode and states that:
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
The disciples then ask Jesus who then can be saved, and Jesus replies: “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
I agree, i would much rather hear some one quote the scripture then there is no doubt about what is being said.
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 2and He began to teach them, saying:
3Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Left over liberation theology.
The Pope is nuts.