WANT TO READ THE BIBLE BUT NEED A PLAN?
Daily bible study - in two years of following these daily readings you can finish the whole bible.
or
Prepare for Mass by reading the scriptures for Sunday. You will have read the bible in three years.
These readings are virtually the same for Episcopalians, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterians.
You will also find on this convenient website resources for Catholic devotions.
check out this website: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/
Here is a fun app for children of all ages: https://appsto.re/us/Agu3q.i
Daily bible study - in two years of following these daily readings you can finish the whole bible.
or
Prepare for Mass by reading the scriptures for Sunday. You will have read the bible in three years.
These readings are virtually the same for Episcopalians, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterians.
You will also find on this convenient website resources for Catholic devotions.
check out this website: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/
Here is a fun app for children of all ages: https://appsto.re/us/Agu3q.i
Want to learn more about the
NEW WAY OF BEING CATHOLIC?
check out this book available on AMAZON
NEW WAY OF BEING CATHOLIC?
check out this book available on AMAZON
WHAT HAPPENED TO RELIGION? (appeared in THE STANDARD - Faith column)
Recently religion has made news headlines because of its decline in numbers. The inevitable questions pit secularism vs. religious practice. Are people less spiritual? Opinion writers and table conversations choose sides either declaring society is going to the devil or religion has gone too radical. Reality is never black or white, nor is truth to be found neatly delineated. The Creator painted with shades and hues as well as a palette of brilliant and bright colors. Since the Creator was so innovative, how can the human spirit become so limited?
Perhaps the answer in the decline of those attending church has more to do with how churches are serving society today.
There was a day when religion’s great accomplishments were found in institutions created to serve the outcasts of society and hardship cases. There was a day when the great human interest stories that emanated from religious inspiration were found in hostels, hospitals, orphanages, schools, shelters and in heroic individuals serving the most forgotten, the most reviled, the most feared, and the most unfortunatein society. The legal battles of religion at one time was the defense of sanctuary which is the right of an outlaw to seek shelter in the church.
Today the legal battles of religion is in defense of discrimination or the right to say “No”. Professional ethics in medicine and law insists on being blind and will severely punish anyone who dares to refuse service. These “secular” values extend to shopkeepers and the service industry. Why are some religious institutions voicing support for restaurants refusing to serve any of God’s children? How did it happen that religion has become the shield behind which people can defend their prejudices or become a sanctuary of hatred?
Who were the leaders and heroes of civil rights and public service? In my youth they were Dr. Tom Dewey, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Fr. Damien of Malakai. How have we come to the place where these heroes are replaced by the likes of Pastor Fred Phelps? How has it happened that Christian hospitals serving the general public now fight legal battles leading to the Supreme Court to defend their right to say no to a woman?
Youth whom thrive on challenging status quo, do not a more inclusive or bolder embrace of others in today’s religion. Youth have forced their elders to question rules and norms that have often disenfranchised segments of our society. Youth demands fairness and respect for themselves and others they view as shut out. Youth therefore questions their support of religious institutions.
Or is the inspiration of religion to inspire youth to take up arms against “the other” in order to protect our values, our sameness, our righteousness? Do religious institutions still have a special place in society to motivate youth and all citizens to seek kindness, compassion, understanding, respect, and fair treatment?
What does religion offer youth willing to give their time and energy for a cause? What are our churches offering youth wanting to be challenged to change the world?
Society has developed standards of practice at odds with some churches. Are our society and our legal system now the leaders in protecting human dignity? Has religion lost its place in driving forward human progress?
Before we people of faith begin to assign blame in the decrease of religious participation we need to look in the mirror. This is a beginning of a discussion. This is first a self-examination before taking a look at the press and its role in presenting religion to the world. Are we the inspiration to make our world a more Christian world that includes those of a different religion as well as those who reject it all together? Are we the examples to be held to those wanting to see what the humankind is truly capable of accomplishing in the name of Christianity? Perhaps by being so we shall see the return of many and the swelling in our pews.
Fr. Leonard Walker, pastor of Divine Savior Community
Recently religion has made news headlines because of its decline in numbers. The inevitable questions pit secularism vs. religious practice. Are people less spiritual? Opinion writers and table conversations choose sides either declaring society is going to the devil or religion has gone too radical. Reality is never black or white, nor is truth to be found neatly delineated. The Creator painted with shades and hues as well as a palette of brilliant and bright colors. Since the Creator was so innovative, how can the human spirit become so limited?
Perhaps the answer in the decline of those attending church has more to do with how churches are serving society today.
There was a day when religion’s great accomplishments were found in institutions created to serve the outcasts of society and hardship cases. There was a day when the great human interest stories that emanated from religious inspiration were found in hostels, hospitals, orphanages, schools, shelters and in heroic individuals serving the most forgotten, the most reviled, the most feared, and the most unfortunatein society. The legal battles of religion at one time was the defense of sanctuary which is the right of an outlaw to seek shelter in the church.
Today the legal battles of religion is in defense of discrimination or the right to say “No”. Professional ethics in medicine and law insists on being blind and will severely punish anyone who dares to refuse service. These “secular” values extend to shopkeepers and the service industry. Why are some religious institutions voicing support for restaurants refusing to serve any of God’s children? How did it happen that religion has become the shield behind which people can defend their prejudices or become a sanctuary of hatred?
Who were the leaders and heroes of civil rights and public service? In my youth they were Dr. Tom Dewey, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Fr. Damien of Malakai. How have we come to the place where these heroes are replaced by the likes of Pastor Fred Phelps? How has it happened that Christian hospitals serving the general public now fight legal battles leading to the Supreme Court to defend their right to say no to a woman?
Youth whom thrive on challenging status quo, do not a more inclusive or bolder embrace of others in today’s religion. Youth have forced their elders to question rules and norms that have often disenfranchised segments of our society. Youth demands fairness and respect for themselves and others they view as shut out. Youth therefore questions their support of religious institutions.
Or is the inspiration of religion to inspire youth to take up arms against “the other” in order to protect our values, our sameness, our righteousness? Do religious institutions still have a special place in society to motivate youth and all citizens to seek kindness, compassion, understanding, respect, and fair treatment?
What does religion offer youth willing to give their time and energy for a cause? What are our churches offering youth wanting to be challenged to change the world?
Society has developed standards of practice at odds with some churches. Are our society and our legal system now the leaders in protecting human dignity? Has religion lost its place in driving forward human progress?
Before we people of faith begin to assign blame in the decrease of religious participation we need to look in the mirror. This is a beginning of a discussion. This is first a self-examination before taking a look at the press and its role in presenting religion to the world. Are we the inspiration to make our world a more Christian world that includes those of a different religion as well as those who reject it all together? Are we the examples to be held to those wanting to see what the humankind is truly capable of accomplishing in the name of Christianity? Perhaps by being so we shall see the return of many and the swelling in our pews.
Fr. Leonard Walker, pastor of Divine Savior Community