Eyes to See: Gaining Empathy
Perceiving the kingdom of God is a combination of the Holy Spirit revealing its mysteries and an individual’s willingness to see and hear with spiritual eyes and ears. Our spirit and our minds are interconnected.
Teachings of Jesus
The Power of Non-Violence
The results of this systematic analysis show that nonviolent resistance is more than twice as effective as violent approaches in achieving intended goals. Based on a large dataset spanning over a century, their study demonstrates that societies experiencing periods of violent conflict, even when successful, tend to suffer from increased social unrest and instability in the aftermath.
The Elusive Pursuit of Contentment
Harvey Deutschendorf shares how intimate, trusting relationships where one can openly share hopes, fears, and experiences are particularly valuable. Building strong connections involves actions like listening, being supportive, keeping commitments, and showing genuine interest in others’ lives. Overall, investing time and energy into meaningful relationships appears to be more rewarding than pursuing material wealth when it comes to finding contentment and joy in life.
Loving our Neighbor like a Good Samaritan
Then along came a Samaritan. In a shocking twist, it is this individual, a member of a community ostracized and despised by the Jews, who stops to offer aid. He doesn’t hesitate; he simply sees a fellow human being in dire need. He embodies radical empathy, transcending the rigid social boundaries that defined his society. And this Samaritan’s response is Jesus’ answer to the man’s question, “And who is my neighbor?”
If Your Hand Causes You to Stumble
Focusing solely on outward actions misses the true nature of sin. We can meticulously follow rules and regulations, but if our hearts remain unchanged, we’re merely masking the problem, not addressing its root cause. This is why Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They were obsessed with external purity while neglecting the inner state of their hearts.