A core tenet of Judeo-Christian tradition and scripture is to "love one another." In Judaism this concept of Love is named Chesed and Christianity Agape. Chesed and Agape are alive in the Hebrew and Christian Bible as well as exemplified by Jews and Christians today. Independently and together these religious traditions have had an incalculable impact on Western ethics and philosophy, and therefore our Unitarian Universalist faith.
When have you been called to love your neighbor as you have loved yourself? When have you loved an enemy? |
Summer of Sources: Fourth Source
During the fourth week of the Summer of Sources leading into Sunday, July 24, we are using A Chosen Faith Part IV: “Neighborhood” & “Expectations” (pp. 119-154). During the Sunday worship we will be using silence and journaling to reflect on specific questions on this part.
The Beatitudes are an expression of values for living. Forrest Church has modified them to make them more meaningful for him. His version can be seen below. What might you do to modify any or all of the Beatitudes, based on your experiences and values?
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they know the unutterable beauty of simple things.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they have dared to risk their hearts by giving of their love.
Blessed are the meek, for the gentle earth shall embrace them and hallow them as its own.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall know the taste of noble deeds.
Blessed are the merciful, for in return theirs is the gift of giving.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall be at one with themselves and the universe.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for theirs is a kinship with everything that is holy.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for the truth shall set them free.
Forrest Church’s Beatitudes are taken from A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, by John A. Buehrens and Forrest Church (Boston: Beacon Press, 1998).
The Beatitudes are an expression of values for living. Forrest Church has modified them to make them more meaningful for him. His version can be seen below. What might you do to modify any or all of the Beatitudes, based on your experiences and values?
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they know the unutterable beauty of simple things.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they have dared to risk their hearts by giving of their love.
Blessed are the meek, for the gentle earth shall embrace them and hallow them as its own.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall know the taste of noble deeds.
Blessed are the merciful, for in return theirs is the gift of giving.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall be at one with themselves and the universe.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for theirs is a kinship with everything that is holy.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for the truth shall set them free.
Forrest Church’s Beatitudes are taken from A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, by John A. Buehrens and Forrest Church (Boston: Beacon Press, 1998).