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<DIV><FONT size=4>I believe we make a theological mistake when we preach that he
will take our burdens away; life would be void of meaning and dignity if he did
it all for us. Oh, but the joy that comes from the accomplishments of service
rendered in his name and the rest that comes when he cuts our burdens in half. I
have a beautiful poster that shows a blue-jay with a huge worm dangling from its
beak and the words on the poster say, "The early bird gets the worm but God
doesn't throw it into the nest."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://day1.org/699-in_the_right_place_at_the_right_time">http://day1.org/699-in_the_right_place_at_the_right_time</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Rosemary Brown, 2000</FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>...as Christians we don't hide from the world but rather
engage ourselves in it. I further learned from him that Christianity cannot be
reduced to the ways and means of a particular philosophy or political agenda,
but rather, God's grace sets us free to fully participate in the creation of a
new world order reflecting God's character of peace, love and justice. As
Christians we are free to engage in dialogue with others, motivated by our love
for God and our love for our neighbor, yet without having to compromise our
Christian faith.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><A
href="http://day1.org/917-do_i_have_a_witness">http://day1.org/917-do_i_have_a_witness</A></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Ruben Duran</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Patently the first Pope and the first bishops (if we want to
use that analogy) were not sacred persons, but inept, often stupid human beings?
Why do have to pretend that their successors are any better? Why should they be
immune from criticism? Have we missed the point somewhere along the line that
the leaders of the church and the followers in the church are fragile, imperfect
human beings and that Jesus chose them precisely because he wanted a human
church. If he wanted something better, he should have turned it over not to the
philosophers in Rome but to the Seraphim.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.agreeley.com/hom05/jan16.html">http://www.agreeley.com/hom05/jan16.html</A></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Andrew M. Greeley, 2000</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT
size=4><FONT
size=4></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV><FONT
size=4>
<DIV style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" class=italics>Why is self-giving so unusual?
Have you ever been impressed by others who give their time and talent to others?
Have they ever asked you to join them? What happened? Did their invitation
change you?</DIV>
<DIV style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in">A simple invitation can be life-changing. Come
and see . . . That invitation can come in different ways, from a letter or a
look to a simple act of unselfish love. </DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/b/2-b/A-2-b.html">http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/b/2-b/A-2-b.html</A></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Larry Broding </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4> I recently heard that by 2040 all known sources of
fossil fuels in the earth will be depleted. Now is the time to make sacrifices
to our God that are substantive, that come from the heart, that will impact the
future of all life forms on our earth.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.env-steward.com/lectionary/lecta/a-ep2-go.htm">http://www.env-steward.com/lectionary/lecta/a-ep2-go.htm</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Wanda Copeland</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>The four scenes in 1:19-51 climax in the remarkable statement
from Jesus that he is the ladder bridging heaven and earth. Scene one (1:19-28)
directs our attention from the last prophet of the former era to the
eschatological prophet of the era in which heaven is semi-eschatologically
present on earth. Scene two (1:29-34) declares baptism of the eschatological era
to surpass every previous water ritual. Scene three (1:35-42) displays the
eschatological Israel forming in the protological disciples.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.kerux.com/documents/KeruxV9N2A2.asp">http://www.kerux.com/documents/KeruxV9N2A2.asp</A></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>James T. Dennison, Jr.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4>- - - -
-</FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><EM>John the Baptist is a man who boldly proclaims the truth
of the Gospel.</EM> John is marked by humility, but this does not prevent him
from preaching with boldness. John’s message is not watered down to please his
audience. He speaks against sin, whether it be that of tax-gatherers or soldiers
or even Herod himself. He clearly identifies sin, condemns it, and calls for
repentance. This boldness is not a contradiction to his humility, but a
manifestation of it. He is inferior and subordinate to his Lord, the Messiah. He
was called of God to proclaim the message he was given. He would do no less than
proclaim that message with boldness and clarity.</FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><A
href="http://bible.org/seriespage/witness-john-john-119-37">http://bible.org/seriespage/witness-john-john-119-37</A></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Robert Deffinbaugh </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=style1><FONT size=4>I think that it is possible to live a life
of what you might call "hyper-spiritual awareness." John's experience, though
unique to him, is a lesson for those of us who would like to make enhanced
spiritual awareness a part of our daily routine.</FONT> </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryIV/Jn1.html">http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryIV/Jn1.html</A></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>William R. Long</FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>...the story of John all the more remarkable. For, in fact, he
was "working himself out of a job" when he pointed out Jesus to his disciples.
And, to be sure, his job ended shortly thereafter. He was like a pace-setter in
a race, who runs the first 800 meters ahead of the pack but then drops out so
that the better runners may have a chance at the "record."</FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryIV/Jn1II.html">http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryIV/Jn1II.html</A></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>William R. Long </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV
style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: newspaper; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-KASHIDA-SPACE: 50%; MARGIN-TOP: 2pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 2pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT size=4
face="Times New Roman">The simplicity of Jesus’ manner reinforces His
willingness to receive people “where they are” - but also to see their
potential. He does not offer lengthy explanations or list His credentials but
takes people to His home and lets them see for themselves.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.wellsprings.org.uk/weekly_wellsprings/year_b/sunday_02.htm">http://www.wellsprings.org.uk/weekly_wellsprings/year_b/sunday_02.htm</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, 2006</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV><FONT size=4>
<DIV style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in">There's an old joke among religious educators.
When a teacher broaches the subject of humility, he or she begins by stating a
simple, but self-defeating command: "Raise you hand if you are humble!"</DIV>
<DIV style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><></DIV>
<DIV style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in">John lived his life in deference to the One God
would point out. He lived most of that life in ignorance of the final outcome,
but in hope God would make that outcome plain. His life gives us a primary
example of Christian humility, living in deference to God's will. John was truly
the humble witness.</DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/a/2-a/A-2-a.html">http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/a/2-a/A-2-a.html</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Larry Broding</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT
size=4></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>