Art Painting Series

Founding

I am hoping that you recognize our first reading, the Ten Commandments. It is bread and butter religion, so basic as almost to be assumed. Yes, you need to hear them first at some time in your life, but then they become so familiar, so second nature, so central. But if you look at the order of service, you might note an…

The Calling of Saint Matthew

Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” In the gospel reading, Jesus offers a story about workers being paid. Some work for a full day, some for half a day, and others for an hour.…

Plato and Aristotle

So Moses made a serpent of bronze and put it upon a pole, and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live. This reading rolls around once or twice per year. It symbolizes God offering a way to relieve the suffering of the people. Which is helpful, because God was the one who sent…

Forgiveness

Peter came and said to him, Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him, Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. Jesus goes on to tell the parable of the slave who sought mercy from his master the king. The master forgave his enormous…