Sharing: Time Talent Treasure
“AMERICA, THE BEAUTIFUL” AND OTHER ORIGINALS
“America! America! God shed His grace on thee, P.” Michael, Elvis, Frank, Marilyn, Diana, Farrah —just some of the names of “originals.” (How many do you recognize?)
Unless one has been on a desert island, devoid of any ability to communicate these last couple of weeks, the attention to the sudden death of Michael Jackson is extraordinary and raises some questions. Questions about how he died are not the real issue. Rather, our attention to and reaction to his death compel the questions. Channel 5 in its reporting called Michael an “original.” They then explained this “original” definition as someone or something that possesses a talent or gift or style that is so attractive or compelling or different that people all over the world recognize it and go on often to the extreme to imitate it. This imitation in some becomes obsessive. Maybe it’s a hairstyle, a dance move, a style of dress, various personal mannerisms…whatever. We see or hear it. We know who or what it is.
Obviously, Michael was not perfect. Was there much worth imitating or desiring other than his musical and dance talent? ICON—IDOL—KING—are just some of the titles people gave him. In our lifetime we have all admired some singer, artist, sports figure, etc. The attention to Michael makes this a good time for some self-reflection. Whom do we admire these days? To what degree? Why? Do we adapt our lives in any way today to include this admiration? Does it rule our actions, change our lifestyle or thinking?
JESUS, THE TRUE AND ONLY REAL ORIGINAL! What is the depth of our love and admiration for Him? Do we change our lives and habits to be His follower? In today’s Gospel when Jesus summoned His Twelve Apostles, He sent them out with only a single tunic, sandals, and a walking stick. They needed nothing else because He was with them always. Their power was in His power. Jesus’ message and love would sustain them. Where are we in this world of false idols? “I am your Lord and God. You shall have no false gods before you.” How do we make this network and world news? The slow death of the world’s devotion and following of Jesus’ message and the road to our salvation are the real news. Nothing is worth more than an imitation of His life. Now, there is an original thought!
Stewardship questions: Kathy Reilly, 781-444-0862 Email: kreilly15@yahoo.com
*Song: America the Beautiful
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Stewardship – A Way of Life
Sharing: Time Talent Treasure
“AMERICA, THE BEAUTIFUL” AND OTHER ORIGINALS
“America! America! God shed His grace on thee, P.” Michael, Elvis, Frank, Marilyn, Diana, Farrah —just some of the names of “originals.” (How many do you recognize?)
Unless one has been on a desert island, devoid of any ability to communicate these last couple of weeks, the attention to the sudden death of Michael Jackson is extraordinary and raises some questions. Questions about how he died are not the real issue. Rather, our attention to and reaction to his death compel the questions. Channel 5 in its reporting called Michael an “original.” They then explained this “original” definition as someone or something that possesses a talent or gift or style that is so attractive or compelling or different that people all over the world recognize it and go on often to the extreme to imitate it. This imitation in some becomes obsessive. Maybe it’s a hairstyle, a dance move, a style of dress, various personal mannerisms…whatever. We see or hear it. We know who or what it is.
Obviously, Michael was not perfect. Was there much worth imitating or desiring other than his musical and dance talent? ICON—IDOL—KING—are just some of the titles people gave him. In our lifetime we have all admired some singer, artist, sports figure, etc. The attention to Michael makes this a good time for some self-reflection. Whom do we admire these days? To what degree? Why? Do we adapt our lives in any way today to include this admiration? Does it rule our actions, change our lifestyle or thinking?
JESUS, THE TRUE AND ONLY REAL ORIGINAL! What is the depth of our love and admiration for Him? Do we change our lives and habits to be His follower? In today’s Gospel when Jesus summoned His Twelve Apostles, He sent them out with only a single tunic, sandals, and a walking stick. They needed nothing else because He was with them always. Their power was in His power. Jesus’ message and love would sustain them. Where are we in this world of false idols? “I am your Lord and God. You shall have no false gods before you.” How do we make this network and world news? The slow death of the world’s devotion and following of Jesus’ message and the road to our salvation are the real news. Nothing is worth more than an imitation of His life. Now, there is an original thought!
Stewardship questions: Kathy Reilly, 781-444-0862 Email: kreilly15@yahoo.com
*Song: America the Beautiful