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Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 04:37:38 +0000
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- Choose the Road to Life (June 22) [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/your-daily-tripod/t/3528cf9b32c1cccf
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Topic: Choose the Road to Life (June 22)
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/your-daily-tripod/t/3528cf9b32c1cccf
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From: "dxfaro@cox.net" <dxfaro@cox.net>
Date: Jun 21 07:35PM -0700
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/your-daily-tripod/msg/72ef1dfb0e9c4ef8
Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
By Beth DeCristofaro
O God, within your temple we ponder your steadfast love. Like your
name, O God, your praise reaches the ends of the earth. Your right
hand is fully victorious. Mount Zion is glad! The cities of Judah
rejoice because of your saving deeds! (Psalm 49:10-12)
Jesus said to his disciples: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the
gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those
who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the
road that leads to life. And those who find it are few." (Matthew
7:13-14)
Piety
The path that you, the child of God, are to walk upon will at times
seem to be very narrow and difficult. It will lead you into
circumstances and relationships that will test your mettle and refine
your spirit. The path you traverse leads to God and His will for your
life. The roads that are glutted with bumper-to-bumper traffic lead
only to the fast-fleeting pleasures and satisfactions of this world.
Walk upon Christ's paths and live by His words and deeds for your life
– for they are, indeed, the will of God for you.
(From Jesus/Now, Leslie Brandt, Concordia Publishing, 1978, p. 72-73 )
Study
Jeff Bridges certainly deserved his Oscar for his intense, conflicted
portrayal of Bad Blake in the movie Crazy Heart. This story is
certainly one of conversion – perhaps not to the narrow road of
Christianity; Bad's use of Christ's name was certainly never done in
prayer. But his life was definitely of a man, with talent and passion,
taking the broad, glittering road of life. He loved the big lights,
the money and the acclaim more than he loved his gift of song writing,
his friends and family and certainly his own health. He threw "what is
holy," his talents and his life, to the dogs of success, gluttony and
sensual thrills. The success of others threatened him. When the going
got tough, he lapsed into drinking and short-lived relationships.
His reformation began when he endangered someone he actually loved
through his selfish, self-centered behavior. In the last scene we see
a restored "Bad," now owning his real first name, Otis because he no
longer had to live up to that defiant nickname. He has learned
humility and that sacrifice can bring healing. He gives away the
coveted royalty check from his hit song saying, "It's Only Money." And
he is able to celebrate the engagement to another man of a woman he
loved. He has stepped out of himself to be joyful for another.
Action
Bad Blake's narrow gate was opened to him through his sobriety; giving
up the soporific effects of alcohol – a tremendous feat for a long
time alcoholic. That step and consequent hard work on his life choices
allowed him to find a new, insightful voice and restored his
songwriting gift.
Is there a gate which is blocked to us, obstructing our walk with
Christ? Are we a gate, blocking someone else's path to Christ?
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