GSC MODULE 63: MURDER, BOTH CORPOREAL AND SPIRITUAL

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY

MODULE 63

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT:

MURDER: BOTH CORPOREAL 
AND SPIRITUAL

JESUS FURTHER REFINED THE COMMANDMENT "DO NOT MURDER". He declared that the one subject to angry thoughts and outbursts against another will be judged regarding emotional violence. Jesus further warns that those who verbally abuse others - calling them fool and lacking basic respect - will be in danger of hellfire. The arrogant and contemptuous person does not do right in God's Eyes. For from the seeds of contempt, dislike, hatred and lovelessness grow those most ugly of deeds: violence, rape and murder. 

Matthew 5:17 - 20

"17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven". 

The true meaning of the Law lies within the heart. The Law offers moral standards which guide behaviour. If we grasp the genuine meaning of mercy, love, inner purity and forgiveness, our resultant actions will reflect godly manner. If our values are far from the Law, we will manifest unrighteous behaviour far from the Heart of God.

Peacemakers

Jesus counsels us that if we recall an unresolved quarrel with another while at worship before God's altar, we need to leave our gift at the altar and reconcile. Reconciliation with our fellows is the  greatest gift we can offer God. Only then will we be able to offer authentic worship.

Jesus is clear regarding the fact that we cannot be right with God unless we are right with others. We cannot hope for our sin to be forgiven unless we have confessed to God, and done our best to remove practical consequences of our wrongdoing from the path of the offended one.

The Saviour wants us to settle matters amicably in an altercation. Otherwise the argument may escalate and bear bitter fruit, such as feuds involving others. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable to God. Jesus thus advises us to get trouble sorted out in time, before it piles up still worse trouble for the future. 

Bitterness breeds bitterness. If we are at variance with another, we must get the situation put right immediately. We may need to apologize if we were in the wrong. If we were in the right, we may have to humble ourselves in order to take the first step to heal the breach. 

Insults and contempt

Jesus recalled the sixth commandment, "You shall not murder," [Exodus 20:13]. In characteristic fashion, Jesus took the old law one step further by explaining the true significance of the law - a deeper, spiritual meaning they had never seen. [2] First, Jesus warns that the very act of murder finds its roots in an angry, murderous spirit: "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement," [Matthew 5:22]. God, Who examines the very thoughts and intents of the heart, will issue judgement upon unrighteous anger. 

Next, Jesus warns against name-calling, using "raca" as an example.  Whosoever shall say to another "Raca" shall be in danger of the council [Matthew 5:22]. Raca comes from the Aramaic term reqa. It was a derogatory expression, indicating another's inferiority or stupidity. Jesus warned that the use of such a word to describe someone was tantamount to murder and deservant of the severest punishment of the law. 

Then He issues a third warning against anyone who contemptuously calls another fool. The first-century Jews recognized that anyone who murders will be subject to judgement, but Jesus warns that even calling another insulting names such as 'raca' is sinful. Murder begins in the heart, and epithets such as 'raca' are signs that there is hatred lurking within. The hatred that causes one to hurl insults is the same hatred that causes another to commit murder. The attitude of the heart is the same, and it is this attitude that makes a person morally guilty before God. [2]  Abusive words reveal the true intents of one's heart and mind for which we will be held in judgement. 

'Raca' is a scornful word, and comes from pride. 'You fool' is a spiteful word, and comes from hatred: looking upon the insulted not only as mean and not to be honoured, but also as vile and not to be loved. [3]

Conclusion
Jesus traced sin back to disposition, attitude or intention. To insult someone is to murder their soul. Anyone who has been the target of a smear campaign knows the heartbreak and emotional devastation this causes. Insults are from the evil one, not from the God of Love Who does not extinguish the flickering flame of a wavering soul. "A bruised reed He will not break and a smouldering wick He will not extinguish", [Isaiah 42:3]. The sin of contempt is deeply ungodly. Contempt can arise from pride regarding societal or academic status and the possession of earthly wealth. Snobbery and pride in respect of material possessions are ugly traits. Feeling mistakenly superior to others is not ideal: all are on the same plane. We are all sinners. "We should never look with contempt on any man for whom Christ died". [1]

To name-call someone is to cast aspersions on their moral character, take away their good name and reputation. Jesus insists the gravest indignity is to destroy someone's reputation and take their good name from them. No punishment is too severe for those who bear malicious tales, for those who gossip over teacups and murder people's reputations. So bad is this that it is a sin deservant of hell. 

[1] Barclay, William. Daily Study Bible: Gospel of Matthew, p.140
[2] Got questions ministries. 2019. Why did Jesus warn against saying the word raca in Matthew 5:22? Accessed 28/12/2019
https://www.gotquestions.org/raca.html
[3] Link, Norbert. Would you please explain Matthew 5:21-22? Church of the Eternal God. Accessed 28/12/2019
https://www.eternalgod.org/q-a-3211/

With thanks to gotquestions.org and eternalgod.org

GSC MODULE 62: SERMON ON THE MOUNT: THE ETERNAL LAW

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY

MODULE 62

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT:

THE ETERNAL LAW

JESUS TOLD THE CROWDS, "DO NOT THINK THAT I HAVE COME TO ABOLISH THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS; I HAVE NOT COME TO ABOLISH THEM BUT TO FULFIL THEM. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practises and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven", (Matthew 5:17). With this statement Jesus affirmed the eternal character of the Law. 

Interpretation of the law
In the time of Jesus, the Law was interpreted through thousands of prescriptive rules and regulations. An example of the interpretation of the command of the Law is that regarding the Sabbath. The Sabbath day is to be kept holy, and no work to be done. God clearly envisaged that people should be given the opportunity to reconnect with Him in relationship. Furthermore, the human body requires rest after strenuous thought and work, in order to maintain healthy body, spirit and mind. However, interpretation of this command developed from Divine directive that we ensure our human spirits receive needed spiritual sustenance, and our human bodies receive required rest, to a plethora of detail. In essence, religious thought of the time argued: what is work?

The development of thought around this command of God was that the carrying of a burden in work was not allowed. This interpretation became so finely interpreted that individual freedom ran the risk of being curtailed. Controversy could arise if a tailor inadvertently went out with a needle in his robe; religious argument could ensue as to whether or not he had committed a sin. 

According to the regulations of Scribal law, to heal was to work on the Sabbath. However, healing was allowed when there was danger to life, but steps could only be taken to prevent the patient worsening - not to cure the individual. A bandage could be placed on a wound, but no healing ointment. Jesus bypassed the religious regulations of the time, and healed on the Sabbath, leading to confrontation with keepers of the Law who held to such close interpretation. 

Heart of the Law

Jesus declined to be bound to minor ritualistic aspects of the Law, preferring instead to live the heart of the Law. The Saviour did not consider prescribed handwashing to be of the same importance as the healing of a suffering individual.  So He healed on every day of the week, including the Sabbath - the day of rest. 

A further issue arose regarding the role of the House of God in the lives of worshipper. The Saviour considered that the Temple as the House of God should be a place of prayer and peace. Jesus caused disruption within the Temple by overturning the tables of the moneylenders and those selling animals for sacrifice in public protest.

By virtue of this action, He protested commercialization and usury of humanity's relationship with God as well as needless killing of animals in sacrifice. He was returning the understanding of humanity to the original prescription of the Law: "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings", (Hosea 6:6). 

The Saviour considered that if the Pharisees knew God and understood what mattered to Him, they would not put such overemphasis on rules about issues regarding ritual cleanliness and restrictive Sabbath observance. In Matthew chapter 9 verse 13 Jesus proclaimed, "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice'. For I have come not to call the righteous, but sinners". He was alluding to Hosea 6:6. (The mercy of which Christ speaks is compassion towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm).

The Ten Commandments

Jesus spoke with utmost respect and reverence of the Law as laid down by God. God's Ten Commandments act as guide to harmonious life and godly relationships. These great principles, when followed, afford each individual the golden template to find their own rules for life. These rules - applied in personal familial, societal and employment contexts - will always prove blessed, because they are according to the logical principles of God.

Fulfilment of the Law
Jesus came to fulfil the Law. In other words, He came to bring out the real meaning of the Law as originally intended by God. The whole meaning of the Ten Commandments can be summed up in two words: respect and reverence. We are to have reverence for God and His Holy Name, reverence for God's Day, respect for parents, respect for life, respect for prophets, respect for diverse personalities, respect for the truth and another person's good name, respect for oneself so that wrongful desires may never master us. [1]

Reverence and respect does not stem from enforced small rules and regulations. Reverence and respect consist in seeing within the Life of Jesus how the largeness, vision and mutual respect enshrined within God's Law enable us to take our place as true heirs of the Father in His kingdom. Jesus came to show us that the heart of the Law is mercy, love and forgiveness. The way that Christ lived clarified that tenets of the Law are intended as signposts towards God on life's road; not as manifold regulational burdens. 

The authority of Christ
The crowds were astonished at the authority with which Jesus taught. He taught as the Son of God. "And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at His teaching for He taught them as one who had authority and not as their scribes" [Matthew 7:28,29]. 




[1] Barclay, William. Daily Study Bible; Gospel of Matthew, p. 130  

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR

Happy Christmas and a blessed New Year to all Lumiere Charity readers. 

May the God of all life continue to strengthen the ministry of protection

 for the unborn child. May the unborn be gifted to our world through 

natural birth as our Savior was. 

Through prolife ministry may we be 

the voice for the voiceless,

the defence of the defenceless.

HAPPY 2020!

SOUTH AFRICA; PRO-LIFE DOCTOR "IS ACCUSED OF TRYING TO DISSUADE A PATIENT FROM TERMINATING HER PREGNANCY", ALLEGED NEWS

SOUTH AFRICA; PRO-LIFE DR DE VOS '"IS ACCUSED OF TRYING TO DISSUADE A PATIENT FROM TERMINATING HER PREGNANCY IN DECEMBER 2016 AND OF FAILING TO RESPECT THE PATIENT'S AUTONOMY", ALLEGED NEWS [1].  Dr de Vos has pleaded not guilty to two charges at a Health Professions Council of SA disciplinary hearing on Monday 9th December 2019, Alleged News [1]. The committee ruled that count three and four of professional misconduct against Dr de Vos be dismissed: Alleged News. [1] The third charge related to Dr de Vos allegedly handing out pamphlets to colleagues and patients promoting his religious beliefs, Alleged News [1]. The fourth charge had accused Dr de Vos of failing to remain objective when advocating for contraceptives and not acting in the best interest of his patients; Alleged News [1].

Charges "lack specificity"

Defence advocate Keith Matthee, counsel for Dr de Vos, previously told the committee that the first two charges "lack specificity", Alleged News. [1] Advocate Matthee wanted to know the following; how far along the patient was with her pregnancy, was the pregnancy terminated and which method was used for the termination of the pregnancy: Alleged News [1]. Notes have reportedly been received but not a medical report; Alleged News [1].

Moral distress

Moral distress has engulfed South Africa as many await the fate of Dr de Vos. It is considered that this doctor has shown moral courage in supporting the right to life of the unborn child. It is further considered by many that Dr de Vos did exactly what a doctor does, uphold the purity of the Hippocratic oath. The Hippocratic oath - taken by doctors for centuries - upholds specific ethical standards. "I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgement, but never with a view to injury or wrong-doing. Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course. Similarly I will not give to a woman a pessary to cause abortion. But I will keep pure and holy both my life and my art," [2]. Dr de Vos carried out the highest ethical standards of the Hippocratic oath to the letter, underlining by his example that truly a doctor is a doctor for life - of both mother and child - and not an agent for the death of either. 

African Christian Democratic Party support

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) stated in August that it stood in solidarity with Dr de Vos. "The ACDP believes in the sanctity of human life, and we look forward to a time when the life of the unborn child will be given the reasonable protection it deserves. Dr de Vos is to us an indication that the time for that is not far off. His statement, which has landed him in hot water with the HPSCA and 2 Military Hospital shows there are people who know that we cannot value human rights without valuing human life", MP Sukers stated; Alleged News [3].

Protests spread from South Africa to Kenya

Protests regarding the fate of pro-life Dr de Vos spread from South Africa to Kenya; Alleged News [4]. More than 19,000 signatures from African citizens - concerned about the fate of pro-life Dr Jacques de Vos - were delivered to High Commissioner Thembela Ngculu at his Nairobi office; Alleged News [4]. Support for Dr de Vos in South Africa and further afield continues to grow. 2019 has shown nationwide protests against the abortion law, ongoing South African marches for life such as the March for Life Cape Town [5], the Pretoria pro-life rally to protest abortion law [6], the NAL Pretoria demonstration against abortion [7],  ongoing protests against Marie Stopes clinics [4 & 6]. The fact that mother and her unborn baby are two separate entities is clear [8]. Pro-life voters went to the polls with pro-life voter guide confidence [9]. South African pro-lifers affirmed the sanctity of unborn life at the National Alliance for Life [NAL] conference in Pretoria [10 & 11].

WE STAND WITH DR DE VOS!

WE PRAY THAT THE MARTYRDOM OF OUR INNOCENT CITIZENS WILL CEASE

WHY NOT SIGN THE PETITION?

https://www.change.org/p/pro-life-acdp-stands-with-pro-life-dr-de-vos?use_react=false

ABORTION IS MURDER!

This is abortion

[1] Cape Town 'anti-abortion' doctor pleads not guilty to charges; Alleged News 

https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/cape-town-anti-abortion-doctor-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges/ar-BBY0cbC?ocid=spartanntp

[2] Hippocratic oath, Alleged News

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath

[3] South Africa: Pro-life Dr de Vos charged with unprofessional conduct for telling patient abortion kills a human being; Alleged News

http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/08/south-africa-pro-life-dr-de-vos-charged.html

[4] Protests regarding the fate of prolife Dr de Vos spread from South Africa to Kenya; Alleged News

https://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/10/protests-regarding-fate-of-pro-life-dr.html?m=0

[5] March for Life Cape Town South Africa - meet the protesters against abortion law

http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/02/march-for-life-cape-town-south-africa.html

[6] South Africa: Pretoria prolife rally protests abortion law

http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/03/south-africa-pretoria-prolife-rally.html

[7] Pretoria NAL conference and demonstration against abortion; meet the protesters

http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/05/pretoria-nal-conference-and.html

[8] Mother and fetus: one entity or two separate entities? A study

http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/04/mother-and-fetus-one-entity-or-two.html

[9] Election fever grips South Africa. Here is the voters guide to help you vote prolife

http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/04/election-fever-grips-south-africa-here.html

[10] South Africa affirms the sanctity of unborn life at the NAL conference

http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/05/south-africa-affirms-sanctity-of-unborn.html

[11] Pretoria NAL conference and demonstration against abortion: meet the protesters

http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/05/pretoria-nal-conference-and.html

With thanks to msn.com, Wikipedia.org and change.org

A CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT BY LUMIERE IN REMEMBRANCE OF AMERICA

A candle has been lit by Lumiere in remembrance of America and 

for those who stand steadfastly for the right to life of the unborn child

GSC MODULE 61: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: SHINING FOR GOD

GOOD  SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY

MODULE 61

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT:

SHINING FOR GOD

IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT, JESUS COUNSELLED US TO BE SHINING EXAMPLES OF GOOD DEEDS. WE ARE TO SHINE FOR GOD. We are to be living proof of the greatness, the regency and the loving-kindness of our God. 

Each of us, having been created in the Image and Likeness of God, must function as a spark of the Divinity. It is a great task that Jesus has set us, one which can only be carried out with His help and grace. Each human being is like a drop of the sea which embodies all the qualities of the entire sea. Each of us as a unique creation hold within us the Image of God. Tragically this Image was defaced by original sin. Our ancestors listened to the voice of the devil instead of the Voice of God. Our relationship with God ruptured, and sin entered the world. 

Fallout from the Fall
We have only to look about us to see the results of our breakaway from God. The equilibrium that was early humanity living in harmony with God according to His Word, is no more. Many are not masters of self, but slaves to passions, cravings and revulsions. Multitudes struggle with crippled faculties of body, mind and soul. Illness ravages. Death bereaves. Ignorance prevails. Sorrow causes cries of misery from every corner of the globe. Rivers of innocent blood run unseen and unheard, crying aloud to God for justice. Cut-throat competition, "the survival of the fittest", leads to unemployment and hunger.  Large-scale throwing out of men and women from jobs due to corporate decisions. The ever-widening chasm between rich and poor. The degeneration of morals. The swelling of urban slums and the distress life in such conditions causes. Emphasis on material affluence as the source of happiness in place of righteous relationship with God. Unbridled consumerism, unfettered and deviant behaviour.

In our time human miseries continue to multiply on every side. Materialistic approach to life leads to permissiveness, offering free play of passions without love. Violence is glamorized. Physical beauty, youth and strength are worshipped, and elderly wisdom and gravitas rejected. Financial avarice and theft on unimaginable proportions leads to broken lives and dreams. Breakup of families and social norms lie scattered over the road of life. Growing drug-abuse situations, robberies, murders, over-young single mothers struggling with heavy responsibilities of motherhood. Nervous disorders and disease mar lives. [1]

]

Teachings of Christ

Jesus gave divine teaching to combat all these ills. Within the Sermon on the Mount, He gives a code of conduct which - if followed -  leads to personal life of harmony, inner peace and holiness which will prove a blessing within both family and society. This will affect others as the influence of holiness grows. This is known as "the kingdom of heaven is here among you" (Luke 17:21).

Jesus taught, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). All are thus to see our good deeds, actions which are spiritually warm and attractive. A hard-hearted approach to Christian charity carries out good deeds in an uncharitable manner. The intention is good, but the deliverance of the deed requires adjustment. The old adage, "I may forget what you did, but will never forget how you made me feel," holds true here. If we do a kind deed in an unloving way, the recipient may feel humiliated instead of uplifted. We are to live Christian goodness with charm. 

Fulfilment of the Law

Jesus did not come to institute a new religion: He came to perfect and complete. He explained, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them " (Matthew 5:17).  In His teaching, Jesus affirmed the supremacy of the Ten Commandments, the ancient Law of God. He further affirmed the inspired writings of the prophets. Jesus the Son of God came to earth to complete the Law of God and the writings of the prophets by His shining example and teachings.

1. H.V. Seshadri, Yoga Sudha, Yoga - Its Social Imperative, May 1997. Pages 8-9

CARE MINISTRY TRAINING MANUAL - FREE PASTORAL RESOURCE BOOK

CARE MINISTRY TRAINING MANUAL IS A FREE PASTORAL RESOURCE BOOK.

This work is intended to be a practical resource for the training of care ministers. Clear guidance in sometimes bewildering pastoral challenges may prove an invaluable tool in the exercise of pastoral care ministry.

The main role of priests is to bring the good news and sacraments to the congregation. Yet the priest may become overburdened with tasks not immediately related to the role as shepherd. In this instance, appointment of care ministers will be of inestimable assistance to the dedicated priest.

In this manual practical guidelines are provided for the training of care ministers. 

The book contains information regarding the following:

- role of the priest

- how to become a care minister

- pastoral care ministry

- prison ministry 

- counselling

- rites proper for care ministry

- care ministry template forms

Download your free book at the following link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=17Rgu6Pxqp3_nHm3jbOGdFzP-FuQGwurY

The care ministry model is a unique call from God. May the words within these pages prove a blessing upon the care minister's road.

Reverend Catherine