The Power of Religion
It is not so much resolution as renunciation, not so much courage as resignation, that we need. He that has once yielded thoroughly to God will yield to nothing but God.
—John Ruskin.
Religious Conceit Versus God’s Mercy
And every one went home except Jesus, who went to the Mount of Olives. But he went again into the Temple Courts early in the morning, and all the people came to him; and he sat down and taught them. Presently, however, the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placed her in the middle of the Court, and said to Jesus:
“Teacher, this woman was found in the very act of adultery. Now Moses, in the Law, commanded us to stone such women to death; what do you say?”
They said this to test him, in order to have a charge to bring against him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger. However, as they continued asking him, he raised himself, and said:
“Let the man among you who has never done wrong throw the first stone at her.”
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. When they heard that, they went out one by one, beginning with the eldest; and Jesus was left alone with the woman in the middle of the Court. Raising himself, Jesus said to her:
“Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?”
“No one, Sir,” she answered.
“Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus; “go, and do not sin again.”
—John.
Follow Your Star
Follow your star that lights a desert pathway, yours or mine,
Forward, till you learn the highest human nature is divine.
Follow light and do the right—for man can half control his doom—
Till you see the deathless Angel seated in the vacant tomb.
—Alfred Tennyson.
Alternate Reading: I Samuel 25:1-38.