Magyar Egyház, 2008 (87. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2008-01-01 / 1. szám
12. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ Out Of Control Scripture reading: Matthew 5:1-10. Text: "He (that is Jesus) did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man." John 2:25. 1 gave the title: "OUT OF CONTROL" to the first Lenten service in 2007. Only one word should be mentioned to understand the meaning and seriousness of this statement: Iraq. We have problem with whatever is out of . . . out control, out of reach, out of sight, and out of place, not mentioning what could be said about a wacky person: "he/she is out of his/her mind." If a person did something terrible; the question is raised: "What could have been in his/her mind? While professionals, like psychologists, psychiatrists, behavior scientists, counselors, wish to find out what have affected a person's thinking and why cannot he or she be logical and normal like others, our Lord had had the capability to discern the thoughts or feelings that occupied a person's heart and mind. Please see our text. Another example is, when He had to face the Pharisees and teachers of the law: "Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, 'Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?"' Luke 5:22. Our Lord had invited us to come to Him with all of our troubles and problems: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. Can we ask our Master to help, heal and reassure us? THE TEMPTATION BECOMES SIN, SIN BECOMES SICKNESS, AND SICKNESS THREATENS OUR LIFE. Let us set up an ascending scale as we intensify the expectations that motivate us: - daydreaming, - wishful thinking, - aspiration, - desire, - urge, - demand, - being compelled, - and finally: obsessive-compulsive disorder. Now the question arises, when we are TEMPTED how high on the scale mentioned above can temptation reach? If temptation is only wishful thinking, there is no problem; however, when temptation becomes a compelling force we have serious problems. Do you remember when Cain became angry at his brother Abel and had a sinful idea how to get rid of him and how had God warned him? "Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.'" Genesis 4:6-7. God knew the plan Cain had in mind, it was more than wishful thinking or desire; it had been the consequence of deeprooted jealousy and hatred. Not Cain controlled his anger but his anger controlled him. For Cain the spiritual healing would have been the Beatitudes, what you read in our scripture lesson. When we feel that the negative and destructive forces take over our mind, one of the best medicines is to repeat the beatitudes several times. With Lent we begin self-observation, self-control, and self-denial in the hope that we can realize what has gone wrong slowly, and what should be limited and controlled. As we wish to curb and restrain our desires and urges, it is good if we keep in mind the wisdom of the Greeks; they had two important sayings concerning human behavior, 1. "not anything too much; avoid excess" and 2. "know thyself." If I truly know who I am, (objective self-evaluation), and also know where is the limit beyond which damage and destruction take place, then. I am a wise person. We wish to do more than just consider the wisdom of the Greek philosophy; w<e wish to listen to our Savior, who was a teacher, healer, comforter, and a trusted friend, as well as the Son of God who "knew what was in a man." Please see our text. Here are two of His admonitions and instructions that will help us to start the Lenten season in a spiritual way:- "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself/ herself and take up his/her cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23, and- "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting . . . But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:16-18. May we ask from the Almighty what king David did: "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10. Rev. A. Jalso Prayer Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. Devine Alpha Although things are not perfect Because of trial or pain Continue in thanksgiving Do not begin to blame Even when the times are hard Fierce winds are bound to blow God is forever able Hold on to what you know Imagine life without His love Joy would cease to be Keep thanking Him for all the things Love imparts to thee Move out of "Camp Complaining" No weapon that is known On earth can yield the power Praise can do alone Quit looking at the future Redeem the time at hand Start every day with worship To "thank" is a command Until we see Him coming Victorious in the sky We'll run the race with gratitude Xalting God most high Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but... Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad! "I am Too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.
