Hebrews 10:1-10 Jesus came to save the world not to condemn it.

Hebrews 9:11–14 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption…

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whomever believes in Him would  not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that through Him the world could be saved. The precious blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus,  was shed for the remission of sin so that which is imperfect (us) could be made perfect in His righteousness. In the new and everlasting Covenant Jesus took away the sins of the world. He tore the veil that separated us from the Almighty.  All honor and glory belong to Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Carla

Hebrews 10:1-10

10 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,

But a body You have prepared for Me.

6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin

You had no pleasure.

7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—

In the volume of the book it is written of Me—

To do Your will, O God.’ ”

8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (NKJV)

Not the very image means “not the exact representation.” Perfect refers to the removal of the consciousness of sins (verse 2; 8:12; 9:9). The sacrifices of the Mosaic covenant prefigured Christ’s ultimate sacrifice of Himself. Therefore these imperfect sacrifices of mere animals could not completely purify the person who offered them. If they had been able to, these sacrifices would have ceased. Instead of thoroughly atoning for the sins of the people, the annual sacrifice on the Day of the Atonement was a visible reminder of the people’s sins.

Therefore: Based on the inadequacy of animal sacrifices, a conclusion is drawn. It is written of Me: The author presents Psalm 40 as a messianic psalm, for only Christ, and not David, could have fulfilled the prophecies of the book, the OT. The OT prophets had warned the Israelites that sacrifices alone would not please God. He desired obedience as well (Psalm 51:16, 17; Is. 1:13–17). This messianic psalm indicates that Jesus’ obedience to God the Father was one of the reasons His sacrifice was better than the OT sacrifices.

The author explains Psalm 40, concluding that God takes away the first, meaning the Levitical sacrificial system, to establish the second, namely, the Son’s obedient sacrifice. The verb translated takes away means “abolishes.” The imperfect sacrifices were abolished so that the perfect Sacrifice could impart true life.

Sanctified means “set apart.” Believers have been separated from their sins and set apart to God by the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. The NKJV Study Bible

The law revealed the need for atonement but only provided a short-term solution. Reminder of sins refers to the Day of Atonement. An animal sacrifice cannot take away sins in an eternal way; only the sacrifice of Christ can accomplish that (verses 12–14). In the OT, animal sacrifices signified forgiveness of sin (Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31; 5:10, 13, 16). The Hebrew terms used in these contexts refer to the cleansing of the impurity caused by sin and God’s pardoning of the sinner following that cleansing.

In its original context, the psalm cited here (Psalm 40:6–8) is associated with David, who understands right living to be better than right rituals. The author of Hebrews presents Christ as the speaker of this psalm.

Whole burnt offerings as a sacrifice could be practiced for ritual cleansing (Leviticus 1:4; 5:7, 10), vows (Numbers 15:3, 8), and festival offerings (Numbers 10:10; 28:10). Offerings for sins refer to the offering undertaken for unintentional sins (Leviticus 4:1–5:13). The requirements for this offering differed depending on who sinned. For example, the high priest’s sin required a more costly sacrifice than that of a common Israelite.

To do your will is a  quote from Psalm 40:6–8 and demonstrates Christ’s obedience to the divine will; He fulfilled the divine purposes of God for humanity (Hebrews  2:10, 14, 17; Isaiah 53:10). Faithlife Study Bible

Psalm 40:6–8

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;

My ears You have opened.

Burnt offering and sin offering 

You did not require.

Then I said, “Behold, I come;

In the scroll of the book it is written of me…

Hebrews 10:11–12

And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 

Hebrews 7:27

who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 

Hebrews 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

Two men visiting Hong Kong, noticed the ubiquity of street vendors, all pushing their carts along, pell-mell, in and out of traffic. Attempting to gain the attention of any potential customer, the vendors would shout repeatedly, “Sale! Sale! Good items for sale!”

So numerous were these vendors that the men found it difficult to avoid their aggressive sales pitches. It was then that they noticed a lone vendor, different from the others. This man stayed to himself, and slowly and quietly pushed his cart along the sidewalk. Intrigued, they stopped the vendor to ask him about his wares, “What are you selling?”

“Selling?” the vendor responded, “Oh, I'm not selling anything.” With that, he reached into his cart and picked up two pieces of a toy that had been broken. “You see, I buy broken things. My joy comes in mending. Once, mended, it can be given away, and bring more joy.”

This story does my heart good. Because there is a part of me that feels broken. And mending, well, that sounds very good to me. But I believe, in my mind (if I'm honest), that I am exchanging the word mending with the word, fixing. Somehow, I’ve persuaded myself that broken is a deficiency.

So. Let’s begin here: Some of us... no, all of us... break.

Maybe from stress or fatigue of spirit. Or from loss of childlikeness or grief. Or from loss of passion. Or from a world where cruelty and violence is too real.

Yes. Life is difficult.

And no matter how strong or safeguarded, very bad things can happen to good and innocent people. And sometimes I don't have the words. Even for my prayers.

Here’s the deal: I have a choice. Brokenness can undo me. Or I can see an invitation to a bigger self, creating spaces for healing and spiritual hydration and renewal.

This is why I have always resonated with the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan. A man is laying in a ditch, having been beaten and left to die. Two pious men pass by, a priest and a Levite, seeing the man, but they continue to walk, without stopping.

The Samaritan stops. Why? Because he knew what it was like to be wounded too.

“He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.” (Gospel of Luke)

You see, once we are open...

...to giving up our expectations and demands,

...to having our stereotypes contradicted,

...to embracing our brokenness,

...we find "There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter." (Mother Teresa)

When we see with our heart, we are grounded. We are conscious—present—no longer numbed. And tender hearts create sanctuaries for those left out. So, if ever there was a time for tender hearted, courageous men and women to step forward, it is now.

I like Thomas Merton’s take, “Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody’s business. What we are asked to do is to love.” Sabbath Moments

Proverbs 22:16 Poverty of spirit is a frightening end.

 James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Many things are tolerated by society few are chosen by the wise. We are our brothers’ keeper whether we like it or not. Love your neighbors was the command of Jesus the very word of God made flesh. Even Solomon, who wrote most of the Proverbs and  was given great wisdom, in the end of his life turned from God. Great is the fall of those who believe and turn away. It is a warning to all of us. Poverty of Sprit is a frightening end. Carla

Proverbs 22:16

He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches,

And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.  (NKJV)

The last of the proverbs of Solomon in this collection deals with social justice. Ultimately, all human affairs are in God’s hands, even though at times the wicked prosper. God made both the poor and the rich (verse 2) and He will justly determine their destinies (24:12). The NKJV Study Bible

James 2:14-17

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 

Proverbs 28:22

A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,

And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.

Ecclesiastes 5:8

If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.

Proverbs 11:24

There is one who scatters, yet increases more;

And there is one who withholds more than is right,

But it leads to poverty.

This is the gift I received on my pilgrimage, walking the Camino de Santiago. I learned that my journey was not about “arrival”, or walking focused only on a “destination”, but the healing gift of reframing—and receiving—what it means to “be at home”. It was the invitation to open my eyes, to see, and embrace, the place where love dwells.
And I smile, remembering Laura Ingalls Wilder’s authenticity, “Home is the nicest word there is.”
So, let us begin here: This love Nouwen refers to, gives us a birthright gift of self. Every one of us—let me repeat, “every one of us”—arrives with our own gifted form, with the shape of our own sacred soul.
Parker Palmer observes, “Biblical faith calls it the image of God in which we are all created. Thomas Merton calls it true self. Quakers call it the inner light, or ‘that of God’ in every person. The humanist tradition calls it identity and integrity. No matter what you call it, it is a pearl of great price.”

It is true, there are many things that “take us away” from home—the feeling of “not being at home.” And not having a house isn't among them. I'm thinking of things such as anger, busyness, self-importance, self-doubt, unforgiveness, despair, frenzied consumerism, and bitterness. It is seldom sudden.
And heartbreakingly, now in our world, too many among us are being told “you are not at home here, because you don’t belong here.”
But in every instance of disconnect, there is this reality—and it’s easy to see how this new weight becomes the definition for our identity (and of the identity, of every person who is dishonored). 

Buckminster Fuller, he of geodesic dome fame, said that scarcity is about a “you-or-me world,” and sufficiency is about a “you-and-me world.” 

Let us remember: We are on this journey together.

I get it.  

If we begin with sufficiency, then perhaps what we “carry”—our home—is not stuff (or things or possessions) but rather opportunities.

Opportunities to be generous, big-hearted, kind, human.

Opportunities to be thoughtful, empathetic, and attentive.

Opportunities to offer hope.  And yes, even if the gift we give (or the light that shines) comes from a wounded or broken heart.

I have an idea... This week let's break the rules. The old rules demand that we obtain, consume, clutch, win at any cost—with no shame in hurting and demeaning others, and give only when it makes sense (or there is a payoff).

As a result, we see only what we want to see.

We do have a home—full of gifts and a light that shines. A place that anchors us and sustains us. And also, a birthplace and incubator for creating space, offering sanctuary and affirmation and generosity for those who are left out. So. What houses (encounter, gift of generosity or healing, conversation, helping hand, smile, hug, and yes, saying “no” to cruelty) can we put “our home” in today? Sabbath Moments

Give thanks!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Like the Psalmist, Paul discovered that gratefulness is the path of revolutionary joy. Beauty, feasting, and giving thanks subvert the power of enemies — and restore those oppressed by persecution, suffering, and even death to the fullness of faith, hope, and love.

Ultimately, all of today’s lectionary readings are about enemies. The two readings I skipped I can now reread. There aren’t two gods — one of vengeance and one of tenderness. But the One God of Israel and of Jesus Christ is, in both testaments, the God of loving provision and protection, whose very presence in the face of violence calls forth gratitude. The texts of terror need to be read in that light — the evils of death and destruction, the enemies of all humankind, can occasion the most powerful poetry of our souls. We can rise to goodness and mercy even in the worst of circumstances.

If there is vengeance to be had, let us leave that to the mystery of God. In the meanwhile, let’s stick with what we know: God is love. God is with us. God provides. God sets a table in the wilderness. The good gifts of life still surround us all, even when evil seems poised to win.

Think about these things. Give thanks.

Diane Butler Bass

The Cottage 

Philippians 4:8-9 Concentrate on the good, be fair, forgive easily and always be humble!

 Romans 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

On nights when sleep alludes me I remind myself of the faith of Abraham and Sarah. It brings me peace to remember that faith above all pleases God. In my imperfection I remind myself that God thought of me and you when Jesus came to this earth to give up His perfect life in our place. God loves the world and all the people in it, His creation, shouldn’t we do the same? Carla

Philippians 4:8-9

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (NKJV)

Noble describes that which is of honorable character. Pure is closely associated with the Greek word for holy and thus means “sacred” or “immaculate.” Paul commands the Philippians “to deliberate,” “to evaluate,” “to compute over and over” what is good and pure. In this way, Christians can renew their minds so that they will not conform to the evil habits of this world (Romans  12:2). The NKJV Study Bible.

The Greek word used here for peace, eirēnē, conveys a range of meanings, including well-being, prosperity, freedom from anxiety, safety from harm, and deliverance from enemies. Paul envisions God’s peace as a soldier who protects the hearts and minds of believers from anxiety, fear, and doubt. Faithlife Study Bible

Philippians 3:17

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 

1 Thessalonians 4:1

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 

Romans 14:18

For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

1 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

Some days, we wake up in a world that is not a friend of grace. At least, it doesn’t feel so.
And I take to heart my friend’s reminder, that we find sanity and sanctuary when we stop and distinguish between big world and small world. Yes. With big world, news is in your face and stoked with anger. No wonder we feel as if our control is demoted. And we ask, how can I make a difference in a broken world?
Well that’s just it, we make a difference in the small world.
The small world is the place where we stand. Today. Where we care and give a damn. And hug and give and try and love and fall down, and get up and repent, and cry and embrace, and challenge and reconcile, and heal.

Makes me smile. Yes. Making a difference in the small world with compassion free of ulterior motive, and straight from the heart. The path we walk (the choices we make), is not arbitrary, or because we mentally assent to a certain creed. It is guided by and fueled by an identity that is grounded in and spills from sufficiency, and not scarcity. Sufficiency is that place where Grace is received and given freely.
Sufficiency where we remember Jesus’ words to each of us, “You are the light of the world.” He didn’t ask us to make the light. Just shine it. When I live from scarcity, I’ve lost my mooring. I’m driven by “not enough.” I clutch, and I blame.

When I live from sufficiency, I am not compensating for what is missing, the world does not make me hate, I trust my heart, and any assumed scarcity (of kindness and compassion) does not get to say how the story ends.

But how? And where do we begin in a broken world?

There is a well-known story concerning a Rabbi who came across the prophet Elijah, and asked him: “Tell me—when will the Messiah come?”

Elijah replied, “Go and ask him yourself.”

“Where is he?” asked the Rabbi.

“He’s sitting at the gates of the city,” said Elijah.

“But how will I know which one is he?”

The Prophet replied, “He is sitting among the poor, covered with wounds. The others unbind all their wounds at the same time and bind them up again, but he unbinds only one at a time and binds them up again, saying to himself, ‘Perhaps I shall be needed; if so, I must always be ready so as not to delay for a moment.’” Sabbath Moments

James 5:16 God hears our prayers!

 1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

What father when his child asks him for food gives him a stone? our Heavenly Father cares for us just like He does with the beautiful natural abundance that He provided for us to live in. God provides rain for both the just and the unjust because He loves the world that He created. He is quick to forgive us our sins when we bring them to Him. He cares for us! Shouldn’t we do the same for others? Carla

James 5:16

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  (NKJV)

This confession is not necessarily between the sick person and the elders, though this is not ruled out altogether. Instead, this exhortation is intended for the sick person and any person with whom the sick one needs to be reconciled. 

Effective, fervent prayer … much: This can mean either that (1) prayer is effective when it is used or (2) fervent prayer accomplishes great results. The illustration of Elijah may favor the latter meaning, for he prayed earnestly. The NKJV Study Bible

After offering his thoughts on practicing the virtues of wisdom (3:13–5:6), James turns to instructions about how to endure suffering, develop a reliance on God, and work with another. Faithlife Study Bible

Hebrews 12:13

and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

John 9:31

Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 

Matthew 3:6

and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

Acts 19:18

And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 

Today, I am glad for any reminder that “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.” (Irish Proverb).

Today, in a world where cruelty is unmistakable, I am glad for any reminder of the capacity to be fully human, tender, vulnerable, and kindhearted.

Today, I am glad for any reminder that the human world of helping is larger than our fear, or anxiety, or our ego.

And no, this is not easy to do in a world that does not honor slowing down, or making (honoring) space for healing and restoration.

To do justice. To love mercy. To walk humbly with our God.

To bring peace to the old. To have trust in our friends. To cherish the young. Sometimes, it seems, we ask too much. Sometimes we forget that the small graces are enough.
Our Jewish brothers and sisters use a prayer beginning, Barukh Adonai, Blessing God, or seeing God in all things, in all places. It is a way of slowing down.
So, wherever you are, take a moment. Be still. Breathe in. Breathe out.
Light a candle.
Carry a talisman (a stone or some object from a place) that reminds you of a sacred space.
Say the rosary.
Watch the birds dance at the feeders.
Walk in a park, and enjoy the autumn air.
Spend an afternoon in your special chair.
Or, wander a garden, and smile real big.

“By means of a diversion we can avoid our own company 24 hours a day.” Pascal

Sabbath Moments