#God chose things the world considers foolish

[ivaspinoza]

Is there any interaction with a stranger recently that sticks in your mind? Or if not, a stranger you saw that you still remember for some reason? Also do you think you could beat me in a fist fight?

I've had such cool asks lately, and I do want to answer them all, but time is not on my side. Patience! What can a modern human being do besides getting angry at the Industrial Revolution at this point? And listen to some delta blues, I mean...

Let's go to the ask of the day, made by my beloved friend. I have a story for you related to faith.

Firstly, I absolutely can not beat you or anyone in a fist fight. Maybe if I get angry enough I could? I used to think I could never be violent until I've been through some shit that showed me why some people get violent. Not advocating for it at all, just saying it's a possibility for every human. That would never happen with you, though, because you're an angel.

As for a stranger's story, I must say: not only my memory is bad, but I am distracted all the time, so I rarely remember these situations. However, the other day, I was sitting on a bench downtown when this homeless man walked into me, asking for money. It was a very fortunate timing, for I was about to ask for a car and, "for some reason", I just waited a little longer — just enough for him to pass by and talk to me.

Well, I've seen lots of things in the streets, some really dangerous, some really sad, but this guy was not about to cause any trouble. He told me his story while I went through my purse. Not a single coin! I asked if he smoked and offered to roll him a cigarette. He almost cried: "Would you do that for me?"

At some point, he just went: "I can't blame anyone, not even God, for my life. It's bad choices I made, and the only reason I'm living through this hell is... me."

So I told him about my awful choices as well. I told him about my God and what He did for me. About forgiveness, about His Son on the cross, and then alive. He cried, asking if someone like him could have a second chance. "Jesus walked among sinners like us for a reason", I told him. "We make the wrong choices, but he doesn't".

"I could never get inside a church", he said, "but I guess God took you down here to talk to me!" If he only knew that a church is not a building... But I had no time to explain that. We prayed, we cried, and told me he believed. In fact, the most important thing he said was: "I don't know what happened, I really don't, but I met you as one person, and I'm leaving you a totally different one."

Of course, it was not me. I truly think that guy was born again on the spot. I've seen it happen a few times by now and there is this distinguished atmosphere about it. Not only that, but also a unique smell and taste that I feel at the back of my mouth. It's not something easy to explain, as it is truly supernatural. Although I have had many experiences, this one was remarkable. I still remember his eyes, shining, so full of life.

I met a stranger, but he was my brother. I don't think I will forget that at any time soon.

[dawndelion-winery]

Fortune's Blessing

Meeting the God of Luck! Reader

Ft. Capitano(pt.2), Diluc, Dottore(pt.2), Pantalone(pt.2), Zhongli

Part 1

Capitano:

Fortune favours the bold

Or so he's heard, which is why he's once again at your altar, flowers in hand, along with his usual offerings

He takes more time in getting to his requests with each visit ever since you've started entertaining him in person

Terrible, really, the way he stalls, smoothly transitioning between topics the moment he sees you begin to lose interest

He knows there's only so long s mere mortal could hold your attention

Still he tries, adamant to make it work, to leave an impact on you, even if only a fraction of the impact you've had on him

Perhaps it really was time to be bold - what he planned to do would toe the line between courage and foolishness

"What is it you wish me to bless this time, Captain?" You murmur, tilting his chin to have him look at you as he knelt at your feet. He rose, kissing the back of your hand in reverence. Had you been anything but a god, you would have surely melted stthe intensity of his gaze, so steadfast and sure as he looked at you like there was nothing else in the world.

"It is a more...personal endeavour this time, Fortune." You raised an eyebrow at the captain prompting him to continue.

Diluc:

He's never considered himself particularly lucky or unlucky

Nor does he consider himself a devout believer of any god

Like yeah sure, gods exist, good for them, not his problem

Y'all failed him and let his dad die

So his first offering had been more of a formality since you were a friend of their archon and chose to visit their fair land of Mond

It just do happened his wine was the finest you'd tasted, and he found himself in much good fortune over the next few days

It felt odd to him, suddenly having this much good fortune after turning into a recluse

Greater still was his shock when you sat comfortably in his living room when he arrived home

"You are young lord Ragnvindr, yes?" you asked gleefully. "Your offering was received with much gratitude, and I am most regretful to inform you that it has run out."

He blinked a few times as you smiled at him expectantly. "You're...Fortune..." You nodded enthusiastically. "And you...you're asking for more wine?" His question sounded clipped, as though he were weighing the consequences of acquainting himself with yet another alcoholic god.

"Indeed, I took the liberty of installing a small shrine by your cellar for your convenience."

Your words left Diluc sighing, yet he couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips as you left.

Dottore:

Attention whore.

You thought you were dealing with a genius mad scientist?

Well, technically yes, BUT he is also an attention whore

Why did you not shower him with praise when he showed you the experiments he had used your luck for?

He takes it as your cue to him that he hasn't impressed you sufficiently

Which does make him grumpier

And he's not professional enough to hide it

"Take a look at this, Fortune."

You nodded in response, gingerly lifting the small device from his hands and raising it to the light to observe it. Your face remained impassive since you didn't really understand just what you were looking at, but of course, to Dottore, he'd expect a god to know these things.

"Well?" Dottore tapped his foot impatiently, his gleeful smile fading, slowly replaced by a frustrated scowl when all you comment is that "it's nice". Only nice?

The little office chair he pulled out for you is now carting you off around the lab to look at larger scale projects at speeds it was certainly not designed for.

Pantalone:

It's an investment, as you should know

Except luck is always a gamble, and who's to say his competitors don't worship you as well?

He finds out the hard way that his competitors were, in fact petty enough to come together and pool their offerings to one up his offerings

He does call for a business meeting with you over dinner

Enjoy it? Lovely, he certainly hopes you do

Gives you an ultimatum, in a way, because at the end of the day, he's got more to offer you long term

"Forsake them, Fortune. Whatever it is you want from me, it's yours. Is that not tempting enough of an offer to you?"

He's batting his eyes at you, plastering a pleading expression on his face, but you can tell it's an act. You know full well he'd cope just fine even if you declined, that this was just the most direct way out for him. Yet you found yourself caving for the sly, coy grin that tugged at his lips. So against your better judgement you agree. For a second, you note how serpentine his victorious smirk looks, and he seems to believe he has you trapped in his coils. No matter. It amused you for the time being; and you would continue to humour him for as long as he intrigued you.

Zhongli:

It's been a while since he's met another god who wasn't one of the seven

Heck, it's been ages since he'd even seen the seven, each of them preoccupied with their own affairs

So he's more than obliged to show you around, to accompany you when you visit Liyue

He has no need for luck, just as you have no need for material wealth

It's an odd sort of comfort, not being exalted, and it feels like two ordinary old friends walking along the harbour together

The two of you definitely jokingly exchange gifts as "offerings" and tease each other about your respective abilities

"Do you recall our contract?" Zhongli mused as he fidgeted with a single mora, rolling it between his fingers.

"Which? When you were only known as Morax? Or when you first were revered as Rex Lapis?"

"From our first farewell." You nodded, thinking back to that moment, back when Zhongli had kept his hair more unkempt, and worn the most fitted of shirts, flaunting the geo lines that adorned his arms. Back then, he'd lost Guizhong not long ago, and it was beginning to get lonely as more and more of his friends succumbed to erosion. So he'd proposed a contract, that no matter what, as long as he remained in Liyue, you'd one day return.

"Well, I did return," you hummed. "That you did," he agreed. "And I'd like to propose the same contract when you depart again. Something to look forward whole you're away."

Taglist:@myluvkeiji @aqui-soba @favonius-captain @tiredsleep @raincxtter @gensimping-for-all @irethepotato @almond-adeptus @mx-kamisato @chaosinanutshell @heizours @haliyamori @callmemeelah @sadlonelybagel @plinkuro @thevictoriousmoon @mastering-procrastinating @cxlrose @astrequa @eowinthetraveler @ajaxstar @boundedbyfate @the-lost-anime-dad @moonbyunniee @greyrain23 @heavenlyfloof

Commissioned by @monstersealclubber

[quotergirl19]

A season 3 conversation between Colin & Eloise:

Colin: You may be able to walk away from Penelope forever because she has done something that you do not approve of or that you cannot understand, but I am not so fickle hearted. I will not abandon her. I will do everything in my power to try and understand why she has done the things she has done, and to try and move past her faults and mistakes because I know her heart and she is a good person. I cannot imagine my life without her. How can you be so quit to forget years of loyal friendship? Are you truly so disloyal?

Eloise: You call me disloyal!? Do you even know what she has done? Do you have more faith in Penelope than in your own sister?

Colin: I do. She is our oldest and dearest friend, and I know how stubborn you can be.

Eloise: You might feel differently if you knew what I know.

Colin: I know that my life is colder and darker without Penelope in it. I imagine you must miss her. I was traveling for months and I thought of her often and deeply missed her friendship. Why are you so unwilling to talk things out so you can forgive and move past—

Eloise: Ask her yourself!! Only do not be surprised when she won’t tell you because she keeps secrets and cares nothing for the pain she causes others.

Colin: Of course she cares! I have never mentioned this before because I knew you would probably never let me live it down but she warned me about Marina. I just refused listen and Penelope hates that she chose to be disloyal to her own family to save me from being tricked into a lifelong commitment with someone who was willing to lie to me and make me her fool. I may have decided to forgive Marina’s actions but make no mistake, it took a very long time for me to do that and I honestly believe it was only possible because she was thwarted. Penelope acted out of desperation and fear of what would become of me if she didn’t stop the wedding and I can honestly say that I am grateful because I was being impulsive and reckless. She hates herself for hurting Marina!

Eloise: She— wait, you know!?

Colin: Yes! I also know that what she did saved Daphne from Nigel Berbrooke and you from your own foolishness! Thinking you could lie to the Queen and get away with it!? All because you decided to ignore every rule of propriety to see a print shop boy who might have ruined you and our entire family! And you think Penelope is the only one in the wrong!? I think it’s time you looked in the mirror Eloise, and be honest with yourself about the part you played in everything that happened.

Eloise: Why would she confide in you but not me?

Colin: Because I allowed her the chance to explain. You should consider doing the same. Especially since you’re about to be sisters.

Eloise: You can’t be serious, you don’t want to marry Penelope. You’re too busy flirting and traveling the world so you can bore us all with your stories.

Colin: I can still travel with a her. In fact, I’ll be grateful for the company and flirting with Penelope is something I particularly enjoy. I have asked her to marry me and she has consented to be my wife. So I encourage you to mind your tongue and be civil because nastiness and hostility directed at my bride will not be tolerated, sister.

Eloise: Oh my god… do you love her, brother?

Colin: With everything I am and everything I will ever be. We understand each other, we’re truly happy to know we will always be together. Please, make things right Eloise. Do it for me and for yourself, and do it for Penelope. She misses you, and I know you’ve missed your friend. Talk to her.

[walkswithmyfather]

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:26‭-‬31‬ ‭(ESV‬‬). “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:26‭-‬31‬ ‭(TPT‬‬). “Brothers and sisters, consider who you were when God called you to salvation. Not many of you were wise scholars by human standards, nor were many of you in positions of power. Not many of you were considered the elite when you answered God’s call. But God chose those whom the world considers foolish to shame those who think they are wise, and God chose the puny and powerless to shame the high and mighty. He chose the lowly, the laughable in the world’s eyes—nobodies—so that he would shame the somebodies. For he chose what is regarded as insignificant in order to supersede what is regarded as prominent, so that there would be no place for prideful boasting in God’s presence. For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now he is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption. And this fulfills what is written: If anyone boasts, let him only boast in all that the Lord has done!”

Daniel 2:21 (ESV). “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;”

Throughout the Bible, God uses people that were considered to be nobodies. Noah, Daniel, Jonah, Joseph, David, Mary, the Apostles (to name a few) were all unknown until they were chosen by God to do amazing things. And God can do the same for you. You might think you're a Nobody, but to God you're a Somebody and He can use you in ways you couldn't imagine. When God calls you, trust Him, He's got a plan for you that only He knows. Because “God has a tendency of picking up a nobody, to be somebody, in front of everybody, without consulting anybody.”

Amen! 🙏🕊️🙌

You can read more here:

[haileyywrites]

The night the Conqueror of Demons was saved was not the first time he had crossed paths with his mysterious savior. Then where did he recognize you from? Who or what were they truly?

-> Xiao x reader!

-> This is a part two! Go read the first part for context! Reader has no gender or pronouns! The Archon War! Blood and death - not graphic! This fic is purely fictional and might not be or meant to be perfectly lore accurate!

The night you had saved the Conqueror of Demons was not entirely an accident, but like he had suspected - it was it the first time you had met or crossed paths. Your first meeting was under equally terrible circumstances despite the centuries of time that had passed between them. While he had all but forgotten you or simply believed you had died, you never forgotten him or that night you had met - that terrible moonless night in times of war...

The Archon War was a horrific event mostly lost to the tides of history. Before it there were many gods of all kind who lived in mostly peace with one another. Celestia however, saw this as a problem and announced that only seven of the strongest could live on and claim the title of Archon - these Archon's would divide Teyvat into seven lands under their rule and they would be free to rule and mold these lands as they saw fit. All others would have to perish in the name of Celestia and the Heavenly Principles.

From the beginning it was quite clear who would rise and who would fall... Morax, Baal and Beelzebub were the strongest amongst you all, there was no questions they had secured two seats amongst the Seven for themselves. Many like yourself saw the war as pointless and frankly stupid, but who were you to stand before Celestia and the Heavenly Principles questioning their judgement? You were a minor god all things considered, you were of no consern to the Heavens and thus your voice was not heard.

You had tried your best to save those you could and stop the spreading madness in vain. You had begged Morax and Baal to help, but they wouldn't hear any of it. Morax was one of the oldest amongst the gods, but his contract with Celestia was seemingly too strong. Beelzebub had told you to abandon your foolish pursuits and either fight or fall. You chose neither option.

Instead you fled. You were far from sure of where you were heading, but you wanted no part in this sick game the Heavens were playing. You refused to kill or be killed simply because they demanded it so. Others saw this as an opportunity and would hunt you down relentlessly in fear of further upsetting the Heavens from lack of action. You stood no chance against the other god's and their followers...

You were kneeled on the ground as you helplessly cried and shook from fear. The eyes of those you once called friends looked back at you with bloodlust, you could do nothing but plead for them to stop - to spare your life. Their followers held you down as one of the god approached with their weapon drawn, fresh blood still coating it like paint... You were sure that you would perish on that moonless night by the hands of those you knew and cared about.

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the air, but it wasn't yours. The area glowed white and you were knocked back by the gods death, the world around you violently reacting to a death of a deity. You looked frozen in place as their body turned into deep red flames, before the field around you lighting into blue flames from it. Those who held you finally let go and started scrambling away to try and save their lives from the attackers, but were cut down just as swiftly.

Your eyes finally fall onto your "savior"... It was funny to think back on, really - how he had actually saved you first. He stood intimidatingly before you with his polearm tightly in hand, just like the weapon before - it too was covered in fresh red blood. You could feel the corruption and bad karma strongly emanating from him, how he could stand so much of it without going completely mad was beyond you...

The moment felt like time had frozen around you and like no one else existed in this world beside you and him. He was terrifying, yet mesmerizing at the same time. He was stained in the blood of those he had just killed and those before, but he never laid even a finger on you... He simply stared silently at your quivering figure, before he turned towards a tall figure you recognized to be Morax. The god calmly told you to go. Told you to run away and hide if you could - not wishing another friend to die by his hand.

You did just that and created a plane of existance that would exist outside the reach of Teyvat, the Heavens and Celestia - leaving behind the world you lived in your whole life to now watching over it from afar. Your existence in the skies acting as the guiding light to those navigating the darkness of the night and life after the destruction of the war. Though it came at a heavy cost, loneliness and solitude for eons... For the first thousand years you would remain in deep slumber, but over time you were able to regain your strength and travel your conscience back to Teyvat.

The night you saved the Conqueror of Demons was the first you had made yourself known to the world since the Archon War. Before you had simply watched from the sidelines as humans and gods went about their days throughout the centuries, simply watching them have such regular and mundane lives - something you would have given almost anything to have... You had only interacted with humans who would either forget you or simply believed you to be a spirit, you would offer them guidance and help. But it wasn't anything like what tou did when saving him that night...

You had walked through Dihua Marsh that night simply taking in the peaceful scenery, you visited it from time to time after hearing about a certain "Conqueror of Demons" who roamed the lands near Wangshu Inn. From the descriptions you though that it could possibly be him, even after all the time that had passed and to your surprise it was. Despite only your conscience inhabitting Teyvat, at times you noticed him turning to look directly at you - as if he could somehow sense your presence despite the distance that separated you.

You had sensed him and the unusually strong karmic debt in the air one night and began searching around. You were able to follow it to find him laying pliant in the grasp of the damned souls - you had noticed how he didn't even attempt to fight against them, but you couldn't let him die like this. Even if he didn't feel like fighting or living anymore, dying by the hands of the damned was a fate far worse than death. With whatever power you could muster you released that blinding white light, it's pureness burning them away and releasing the Yaksha from their hold into your arms.

Those golden eyes that stared at you in shock were so beautiful, like the sun that had slowly grown dimmer. He looked at you so intensely, as if trying to see past the mask you wore. Perhaps he could feel it too - the familiarity despite the centuries that had passed since that terrible night... There were no words uttered, simply a comfortable and understanding silence. Slowly he closed his tired eyes and let himself rest in your protective arms while he slept for the first time in a long, long while. Carefully you ran your fingers through his messy yet soft hair, making him even more relaxed. You wondered what he dreamed about...

Soon the moon began setting in the horizon and the sun rose on the other side, making this night come to an end. Reluctantly you let go of the Yaksha as you faded and returned to your solitude in the sky. He seemed to be feeling better after his much needed rest, but it was still regretful to leave him without a word. Perhaps it was better this way...

The Archon War was long past, but making yourself known to the world could have dire consequences... The Heavens and Celestia were very much still there. While another war sounded too outlandish to simply get rid of you, but having you hunted down and executed was a terrifying possibility. From what you'd heard and seen, some of the Seven had given away their Gnoses and thus severing their ties to Celestia, but something demanded by the Heavens wasn't easily ignored by anyone.

Still, after everything - could you truly go back to being a mere spectator in hiding for a millenia or however long you had left simply because they were aware you were still alive? You had no true way of knowing what the Heavens and Celestia were thinking or how they would react. After such a long and lonely life, the risk of not living if you returned was more worth it than living in hiding all alone forever.

You descended back to your home world, leaving your solitude beyond the sky without a soul living on it. For the first time in centuries you could feel the earth beneath your exposed feet and the cool night wind blowing lazily, causing your clothing and veil to move along. The smell of the marsh, grass and earth filling your lungs - while not an extremely pleasant smell you wouldn't trade it for anything.

The sound of approaching footsteps didn't escape your notice, you were simply didn't want to let the moment come to an end. You finally turned around to look at the approaching person to see someone unexpected yet familiar - someone you were hoping to see. He seemed distracted like you to not notice you at first and you almost burst into laughter from the double take he had to make after noticing you. His mouth was left slightly agape from the shock and you stared at each other in silence before you finally let out a faint chuckle from it all.

He watched intensly like before as you brought your hand up to slowly remove the mask stopping him from recognizing you, his sun colored eyes following your every move with a sharp gaze. You didn't know if he would still remember or recognize after all these years, but you couldn't blame him if he didn't... His breath hitched as you finally revealed your face all for him to see, his eyes flipping through emotion after emotion, but you could see a hint of recognizion in them.

“I didn't get to introduce myself last time. Hello, Conqueror of Demons.” You smiled. “I suspect we have much to talk about, especially with him.”

A/N: Hi all! I hope this was worth the wait and I really hope you liked this, so give me honest feedback if you can!

If you'd like, feel free to like and or reblog <3

So yeah this wasn't exactly a continuation, rather than the readers perspective - I still hope you enjoyed it either way! But really if you'd rather have a continuation than this then do let me know!!

Tags: @xiao-loyal-simp, @slaylatus, @raksstuff, @anna-pmn, @swivy123, @him3ru, @sw33t-dr34mz

[ent-maiden]

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are. So that no one may boast before God. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

It is my favorite Bible verse. And it makes me think of the 4 hobbits (and ex-hobbit) that brought an end to Sauron's dominion. They were unlikely but without them Middle Earth wouldn't be saved

Pippin is foolish, but by rescuing himself and Merry he lead to the destruction of Isengard and got to enjoy some creature comforts. (Later he fooled the Dark Lord himself.)

Merry has the small strength of a hobbit but he made vulnerable the Witch King who thought himself invulnerable.

Frodo is lowly, a mere hobbit, Smeágol is a despised creature, Sam is "nought but a ninnyhammer" but they destroy what is considered perhaps the most important object in Middle Earth.

Sauron can be no god of Middle Earth. He is utterly destroyed.

[hiswordsarekisses]

“No one in his right mind would fabricate this religion; many would (and do) look at us as fools. But when the Spirit fills this strange framework with inward life and fullness, it becomes rich and beautiful — a magnificent story of divine love for humanity, a glorious rescue mission with a stunningly personal touch.

To the one whose eyes have been opened by the Spirit, this story — and the Person at the center of it — becomes life itself and the only way to make sense of it.

What once appeared shallow is now deep. What once looked senseless now seems to be the only plausible truth. The faith that struck you as foolish now fills your heart with meaning. What was once overwhelming is now empowering. What’s the difference?

The Spirit and the vision he gives us.

Without the living, breathing presence of the Spirit, Christianity appears to be an impotent, absurd belief system, a poor framework for understanding the world and beyond.

That’s why, to Spiritless eyes, we’re subject to so much mockery. (Granted, some mockery is deserved. Much of it is not.) But it’s also why we have to insist on seeing everything — life, other people, ourselves — through the lens of the Spirit.”

~ Chris Tiegreen

“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.””

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭31‬

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

17th July >> Fr. Martin's Reflections / Homilies on Today's Mass Readings for Wednesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Inc. Matthew 11:25-27) ‘No one knows the Father except the Son’.

Wednesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel (Except USA) Matthew 11:25-27 You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to little children.

Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’

Gospel (USA) Matthew 11:25-27 Although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Reflections (8)

(i) Wednesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

In the first reading, the Lord, speaking through the prophet Isaiah, critiques the arrogance of the ruler of the empire of Assyria. Failing to recognize his role in God’s greater purpose, he puts his military successes down to his own strength and intelligence. It is as if the axe were to claim more credit than the one who uses it. In the gospel reading, Jesus refers to ‘the learned and the clever’, by which is meant those religious experts who are so sure of their interpretation of God’s law that they reject Jesus’ revelation of God through his words and deeds. However, although the learned and the clever may be rejecting Jesus’ revelation of God, the ‘little ones’ are welcoming it. Those who are aware of their own poverty and need before God have come to recognize the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son. They have welcomed God’s coming to them through the words and deeds of Jesus. What is hidden to the learned and the clever is clear to the little ones. There is a sense in which we have to bend very low if we are to receive the revelation of God that Jesus came to give us. As Jesus says in the opening beatitude, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’. As Paul says in his first letter to the Corinthians, God often choses ‘what is foolish in the world to shame the wise… what is weak in the world to shame the strong’. There is a self-emptying that is needed on our part if we are to open ourselves up to all God wants to give us through his crucified and risen Son.

And/Or

(ii) Wednesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Occasionally the gospels give us a glimpse into the prayer life of Jesus. From time to time, they allow us to observe the content of Jesus’ prayers. This morning’s gospel reading is one example of that. We are familiar with Jesus’ prayer of petition in the Garden of Gethsemane, ‘Father, take this cup from me’. The prayer of Jesus in this morning’s gospel reading is a prayer of praise, beginning, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth’. Jesus praises God for the mysterious ways that God works, ways that seem paradoxical to human observation. Jesus blesses God for hiding message of Jesus from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. It is not the religious experts, the teachers of the Jewish Law, who are coming to know God as Jesus is revealing him. Rather, it is those who would have been considered religiously and theologically illiterate who are coming to know God in and through Jesus’ ministry. Those who claim to know are learning nothing about God from Jesus; those who are aware that they know little or nothing are receiving the revelation of God that Jesus brings. The gospel reading reminds us that it is those who are aware of their own need, their own poverty before God, who will be open to whatever God wants to communicate to us through his Son.

And/Or

(iii) Wednesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

If we were to list what we consider to be of value in our lives, we would probably discover that relationships would come towards the top of our list. We value relationships, friendships. We could not get through life without the people who are important to us. In this morning’s gospel reading, Jesus speaks about the relationship which is most important to him, his relationship with his heavenly Father. He speaks of this relationship in terms of a mutual knowing, ‘no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son’. There is a very profound and unique intimacy to this relationship. Yet, there is nothing closed about this special relationship; it is open to others. Jesus speaks of himself as choosing to reveal the Father to others and he speaks of the Father as revealing these things to children. Jesus reveals the Father to us and the Father reveals his Son to us; to that extent they seek to draw us all into their mutual relationship. As God drew Moses to himself through the burning bush, the Father and the Son seek to draw us into their mutual love, so that we can reflect that love to others. For this to happen, the gospel reading suggests that we need the openness and receptivity of the child, rather than the self-assurance of the learned.

And/Or

(iv) Wednesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospel reading, Jesus draws a sharp distinction between what he calls ‘the learned and the clever’ and ‘mere children’. The term ‘children’ or ‘little ones’ is probably a reference to Jesus’ disciples who would not have been considered learned and clever at the time. The learned and the clever were the experts in the Jewish Law, those who considered themselves to have a clear understanding of God and God’s will. Many of Jesus’ disciples were anything but experts in the Jewish Law but would have been considered ‘sinners’, breakers of the law, by the religious experts. Yet, it was these people who were open to Jesus’ revelation of God, whereas the learned and clever rejected Jesus’ revelation of God. When it comes to matters of faith, we need to keep acknowledging how little we know, and how far we have yet to travel in coming to know God with our mind and our heart. This is what Jesus refers to elsewhere in Matthew’s gospel as poverty of spirit. It is to the poor in spirit that the kingdom of God belongs. It is the awareness of our own poverty of spirit, mind and heart, that disposes us to receive God’s gift of his Son. Jesus assures us in the gospel reading that when we receive the Lord out of our poverty, we will be enriched, because we will be taken up into Jesus’ own intimate relationship with God his Father.

And/Or

(v) Wednesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

In today’s first reading from Isaiah, the emperor of Assyria is portrayed as full of self-importance and pride. He proclaims the power of his own strength, intelligence and understanding. He boasts of picking up the whole earth as people pick up deserted eggs. He fails to recognize his place within God’s greater purpose. This is the attitude that lays behind those whom Jesus refers to as ‘the learned and the clever’ in today’s gospel reading. They are so full of their own intelligence and understanding that they are closed to the great wisdom from God that Jesus has come to reveal. It is those whom Jesus refers to in the gospel reading as ‘children’ who are open to receiving this wonderful revelation that Jesus brings from God. Jesus is referring here to his disciples, those whom he asked to become like little children so as to enter the kingdom of heaven. They know their dependence on God, their need of God, their poverty before God; they are poor in spirit. Insofar as we imbibe this fundamental attitude, Jesus will be able to reveal to us everything that has been entrusted to him by God the Father. Jesus wants to draw us into his own relationship with God the Father. He wants us to know the Father as intimately as he knows the Father and as the Father knows him. The relationship between Jesus and his Father is not a closed relationship. Jesus wants to open it up to all of us, but we need something of the openness of children towards him if this great grace of sharing in Jesus’ relationship with God is to come to pass for us.

And/Or

(vi) Wednesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

At a critical time in Matthew’s gospel when Jesus finds his ministry largely rejected in Galilee, he, nevertheless, praises his Father, Lord of heaven and earth. Even as Jesus was experiencing rejection from many of the towns of Galilee, he knew there was much to give thanks and praise to God for. There are times in our own lives when nothing seems to be going well for us. We feel disappointment and hurt at how others are relating to us. However, even in such moments, there is always something for which we can give thanks and praise to God. If we look at our situation with the eyes of faith, we will always find some sign of God’s grace and favour for which we can give thanks. In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul says, ‘Give thanks in all circumstances’. He doesn’t say give thanks for all circumstances but in all circumstances. Paul is reminding us that even when our faith in God is being put to the test and we find life a struggle, there is always something for which we can give thanks. In the face of opposition and hostility, Jesus gives thanks to God because in his mysterious plan it is the ‘babes’ in the field of religion, the poor, the tax collectors, the sinners, rather than the experts in the Law, who are open and receptive to God’s revelation of himself through Jesus. It is they who had the poverty of spirit to receive what God is offering. Sometimes, the trials and struggles of life can help us to become more like children, in the sense of opening us up more fully to all the blessings and graces that God continues to shower upon us through Jesus. This is something for which we can certainly give thanks.

And/Or

(vii) Wednesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

In the first reading, Moses is portrayed as having a very strong sense of God’s presence and call as he went about his daily choses as a shepherd, looking after the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro. It was while Peter, Andrew, James and John were going about their daily chores as fishermen by the Sea of Galilee that they heard God’s call through the person of Jesus. We don’t have to be at prayer in a formal sense for the Lord to touch our lives in a transformative way. We need to be open to the possibility that the Lord may have something important to say to us even as we are absorbed in our day to day tasks. The equivalent of the blazing bush through which God spoke to Moses can be present in all our lives at any time and place. Moses discovered that the wilderness where he has herding his flock was, in reality, holy ground, a place of encounter between God and himself. We may associate holy ground with holy places like churches. Yet, any place can become holy ground because the Lord can meet us wherever we are, if we are open to that possibility. We can find ourselves prayerfully communing with the Lord at the heart of our daily activities. God touched the life of Moses in the wilderness for the sake of others. God wanted Moses to go to God’s oppressed people and bring them God’s liberation from slavery. When God touches our lives in prayer it is always with a view to others. The gospel reading gives us an insight into a moment of Jesus’ prayerful communion with God. Immediately after this moment of prayer, Jesus turns to the burdened and invites them to come to him for rest (tomorrow’s gospel reading). The Lord touches our lives in prayer so that we can bring his liberating and life-giving love to all who need it most, and he can touch our lives in this way even when we are lest expecting it.

And/Or

(viii) Wednesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

In the first reading, the Lord, speaking through the prophet Isaiah, critiques the arrogance of the ruler of the empire of Assyria. Failing to recognize his role in God’s greater purpose, he puts his military successes down to his own strength and intelligence. It is as if the axe were to claim more credit than the one who uses it. In the gospel reading, Jesus refers to ‘the learned and the clever’, by which is meant those religious experts who are so sure of their interpretation of God’s law as to reject Jesus’ revelation of God through his words and deeds. However, although the learned and the clever may be rejecting Jesus’ revelation of God, the ‘little ones’ are welcoming it. Those who are aware of their own poverty and need before God have come to recognize the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son. They have welcomed God’s coming to them through the words and deeds of Jesus. What is hidden to the learned and the clever is clear to the little ones. There is a sense in which we have to bend very low if we are to receive the revelation of God that Jesus came to give us. As Jesus says in the opening beatitude, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’. As Paul says in his first letter to the Corinthians, God often choses ‘what is foolish in the world to shame the wise… what is weak in the world to shame the strong’. There is a self-emptying that is needed on our part if God’s purpose for our lives is to come to pass.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

[llycaons]

ep38 (2/3): heartbreaking: the worst person you know just came out

man I feel like xxc is SUCH a romantic. he likes being in love he likes having a partner he's drawn to those idealized fairy-tale romances he doesn't look too deeply below the surface (consciously or not) because he just loves having that kind of connection with someone. and ah he and song lan were perfect for each other. if not for that foolish mistake...! but tragically he's not a main character so his suffering will lead not to a happy ending but to death

anyway. scream? I assume these are yi city residents? fuck, but that's so many. an entire city

he just loves giving those expressions to xy for no reason. unhinged menace

this is honestly hilarious. obviously 'all he wanted was a domestic life with famer's market trips uwu' is a patently absurd claim because look what he DID with that life but I cannot lie this is very funny to me. like sure maybe DEEP DOWN that's all he wanted but my sympathy for him is like. nonexistent because look what he chose to do

also. this man is gasping in fear. does xxc not notice?? willfully ignorant, perhaps

SONG LAN!!!! thank god you're here there is such bullshit going down here xxc needs you. he just lit up so much when he heard about xxc

she's such a little survivalist <3

omg remember that translation meta that described sl's answer as like 'he is world-endingly beautiful' or something? first of all he was right. they casted xxc perfectly, second of all how the hell did she write this and not make them canon gay. insane.

this kills me bc at this point SL KNOWS but I don't think he even considered approaching this with the care he would have needed to. and why not just confront xy? it's not like he knows xy has a tool to make xxc kill him

also sl is standing here in broad daylight and xy just walks past him? I mean his back is to sl but that's weird, I feel like he'd notice him just STANDING there esp if a-qing jerks away and hides

damn I hope she hasn't been hiding every time xy is around. that's her home too. she could technically leave but I doubt she wanted to abandon xxc. and she's not likely to trust any of the sects to intervene either even if she told them. and I don't think she understands that xy is making xxc kill living people

witnessing sl see how xy treats xxc (familiarly, cruelly, lying) is like. that IS a man watching someone he loves involved with someone else who's hurting them. not even jealousy, just heartbreak and righteous anger. li bowen NAILED it

I don't think sl and xxc were ever actually together which just makes this entire thing more exquisitely painful

THE SINGLE TEAR

oohh and the BLOOD

at this point a-qing is distressed enough to grab onto wwx for comfort :(

it's not often that I see the xxc/xy situation described as abuse but xy DID abuse his power over xxc to trick him into murdering people (and then the heavy implication that they were in a relationship too 😬)

I love this expression from SL. no detached justice here. this man is furious and ready to kill

this fight scene is actually good? so many fight scenes in this show are bad and this one just rules. the chemistry, the action, the drama, the tragedy. what a neat and tight little narrative

ohh double-meanings. KILL HIM SONG LAN

this was so insane of xxc to do. man had one great love of his life and he dug out his eyes for him then walked away 😭

this is so funny though. he is the worst. oh SHIT THERE'S THE CHEETAH-PRINT ROBES. what a slay

also now xy won't stop rubbing it in his face and playing on sl's insecurities. deflecting from his own crimes. as jgy does, later in the temple. xy probably learned from him honestly. but don't fall for it song lan!!! he is literally using xxc to murder people!!!

this is a taunt eerily reminiscent of wwx. his voice goes up all high, like 'awww, were you SAD? huh?' wwx taunts like this, all sarcastic. but also he's not like, evil

BITCH YOU'RE THE ONE LYING AND MANIPULATING HIM

when sl's tongue gets cut out, a-qing gets all this splashed on her. ugh

NOOOOOOOO XIAO XINGCHEN!!! THAT'S THE MAN YOU LOVE!!!

[melanch0ly-gh0st]

Prompts for Tinies

Many religions from across the world speak of divine recklessness; such that the foolish, listful ambitions of gods would wreak terrible havoc on mortals abound. Not so for your pantheon, thankfully, though the “holy pranks” they’d pull certainly gave a few among you heart attacks. Still, you couldn’t beat the immense, exalted riches they should reward you with each time they pull some heavenly jape, even if a stronghold or a few houses get destroyed in the process. So, in a way, it’s fine being the one all the gods in the realm decided is the cutest of them all—and the one that each (individually) should get all to themselves. Needless to say, the titanic shadows of higher beings fighting over your little self in one’s grip were made barely less horrifying from your perspective.

You always called it a curse, your kindness, because one way or another you were always compelled to do what was right for everyone, regardless of if they deserved it or not. Such that you knew the consequences this would bring if the heart continued to pull you forward, and the advent of being brought to near death in a street alley by a gang of miscreants you’d thought to greet was your prophecy made manifest. Far more unfortunate for all around you, then, that the sins against you of your attackers would run them afoul of the vast and powerful eldritch entity you also befriended last week.

A scholar, an adventurer, or maybe some random college dude; whatever you chose to go through with in life, you did so while considering your stalwart—though at times clumsy and misguided—kobold companion you’d known since your childhood. Being a meager two feet tall, the only things that placed them out in a crowd were the glisten of their well-groomed scales and their knack for odd engineering skills. This would come in handy—more or less to your horror—when some accident leaves you nigh powerless… and at a mere fraction of your size. Two… three inches maybe? A little less, even. Whatever it was, it didn’t make the sight of your kobold’s massive face upon yours any more or less terrifying, nor did it to their gentle but almost probing grip, accompanied by a mischievous grin.

You tended to shrink horrible—you knew as much. So did your partner, who learned quickly of the curse you’d inherited, such that you’d feel a twist in your gut for a few hours once a month, followed by shrinking down to nigh microscopic size for a week. A terror, you thought, would be struck on them once they found out. An odd feeling, you realized, would be struck on you when you saw them walk in a day after your first shrinking since meeting them with gold ring, upon which was a glass oval and what looked like a quaint hillside built inside.

You had, in your great curiosity, enlisted in a new science program said to revolutionize how we operate in labs—brain downloads! You would be the first to have your mind transferred to a network of drones and computers designed to contain you and your soon-to-be vast network of data and algorithms. The power of human ingenuity and creativity combined with the processing power of technology; who could resist? You waited as the scientists made sure your vitals were in check—running brain scans and blood tests and the like—while informing you of the procedure they had in mind: they’d transfer you into a single use, humanoid android that would keep you locked inside with no way to transfer to other drones. From there, you’d wait a few hours, getting used to operating an artificial consciousness, before the lock was released and you could begin your new life. You agreed, and before you knew it you were in the transfer process, machinery coating you as your mind was delicately extracted and converted to ai before, after a few moments of anticipation, you woke up in your new life… to doctors the size of buildings puzzling over you being transferred to the wrong body; a flea drone.

Navigating the strange, titanic monuments of the echoing yesteryears was a great challenge, especially considering some of those odd bits and bobs that were hidden deep inside the sky-scraping citadels were prone to retaining life, carrying out their little functions—heating, ventilating, controlling the flow of entire underground streams, and whatever else the ancient lords seemed to manipulate far too easily. Unfortunately, curiosity got the best of you, and you found yourself along the coast, avoiding spiders and the occasional overly-curious hawk—not like they ever ended up actually finding your kind palatable—on your way into some odd, pasty white fortress, it’s roof casting a vast shade over you, even as the ages ran as green waves into its walls. As you travelled through the dwelling place of what was far gone, your stomach turning at the far too advanced technology ruins to your left and right, you thought not to look down… and tripped on the end of some large, vaguely rectangular bulge. Then you heard the gears turning, and the mechanisms shifting and shaking, and as you looked up you were met with the terrifyingly cold face of an ancient automaton, with a body like your own but a body of hard steel—a stark contrast to what you knew, with all life made of flesh and bone. Great then, that it let you dart away, barely even moving as you ran for the door, thinking only to watch you with curiosity. Your meddling awoke it, it seems; that would be your undoing as well, considering the second you thought you escaped out a crevice in the vast front door, you turned around and saw it cross that distance you just bolted down with a mere few steps and stop just short of you, almost waiting for your movements. You tried to keep running; it followed. You ran some more; it followed. You yelled at it to stay away; it… didn’t follow? It stopped. You looked back at it and told it to keep coming; it kept coming. You stared at it for a second and realized, your heart filled with both fascination and exhausted gloom, that you may have awoken a blindly loyal giant… that treated you like its owner.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Living His Word

Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. — 1 Corinthians 1:27

God chooses who will be saved. Ephesians 2:8 says, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God." It follows from this truth that God must also determine the criteria He uses to choose who will be saved. And, according to our verse for today, one of the main criterions He uses is foolishness. The ones He chooses are usually the ones that the world considers to be foolish. 1 Corinthians 1:26 says, "Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes."

Why? Why does God do it this way? He does it in order "to shame those who think they are wise." He wants those who think they are wise from the world's point of view to be proven wrong. He wants them to realize how foolish their "wisdom" actually is. He also does it so that "no one can ever boast in the presence of God" (1 Corinthians 1:29). God does not want anyone to be saved who thinks that they deserve it; who thinks God had to save them given their wisdom.

Another main criterion God uses to choose who will be saved is powerlessness. The ones He chooses are usually the ones the world considers to be powerless. 1 Corinthians 1:26 also says that few of those who were chosen by God were "powerful or wealthy when God called you."

Why? Why does God do it this way? He does it in order "to shame those who are powerful." He wants those who are powerful from the world's point of view to be proven powerless. He wants them to realize that their power has no control over His choice. He also does it so that the powerful cannot boast in His presence. God does not want anyone to be saved who thinks that their power somehow gained them salvation; who thinks that God was somehow forced to save them given their power.

God is the sovereign Lord of the universe. He controls all things and determines their destinies. The universe depends upon Him and revolves around Him ? not the other way around.

He proves His point by choosing those the world considers least likely to be chosen.

© 2016 by Bible League International

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

21st January >> Mass Readings (USA)

Saturday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

or

Saint Agnes, Virgin, Martyr.

Saturday, Second Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Red)

(Readings for the feria (Saturday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Saturday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14 He entered once for all into the Sanctuary with his own Blood.

A tabernacle was constructed, the outer one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering; this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies.

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation, he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own Blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R/ God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth.

R/ God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise.

R/ God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

For king of all the earth is God: sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne.

R/ God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation cf. Acts of the Apostles 16:14b

Alleluia, alleluia. Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mark 3:20-21 They said, "He is out of his mind.”

Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

---------------------------------------

Saint Agnes, Virgin, Martyr 

(Liturgical Colour: Red)

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Saturday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 God chose the weak of the world.

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 23:1b-3a, 4, 5, 6

R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.

R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side With your rod and your staff that give me courage.

R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Gospel Acclamation John 15:9b, 5b

Alleluia, alleluia. Remain in my love, says the Lord; whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 13:44-46 He sells all that he has and buys that field.

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[servantoflordjesuschrist]

He gives wisdom to the little ones to shame the mighty of this world and fools to shame the wise of this world as it is written in the Bible. What is the difference between a fool whom the world and people consider as such because he has Love, Justice, Truth, which is essentially the Lord Jesus Christ, in his heart like the morning dawn, and a fool who does not know Love, Justice, Truth, and the Lord Jesus Christ at all, acts arbitrarily, and thinks and acts like a fool according to the Bible? What does the Bible say about this?

Bible Verses 1 Corinthians 1:27 – “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 12:15 – “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” Matthew 5:3-12 – The Beatitudes,…

[walkswithmyfather]

“Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” —1 Corinthians 1:27‭-‬31 (NLT)

[reedreadsgreek]

1 Corinthians 1, Reed's Version

Paul, who is called by God for His purposes, to represent Christ Jesus, writing along with our Christian brother Sosthenes to the community that belongs to God in Corinth, you who are called in Christ Jesus to be set apart for God’s service—as in fact you have become—and united in brotherhood to everyone everywhere who worships our common lord Jesus Christ: may the grace and peace of God our Father and the lord Jesus Christ be with you. 

As I pray for you I always thank God for the acts of grace He has done for you in Christ Jesus, making you wealthy in him in every way, with every kind of spiritual speech and wisdom. Through these God verified our message about Christ to you. As a result, you are fully equipped with spiritual endowments as you wait for our lord Jesus Christ to return. God will sustain you to the end, so that you will be guiltless on the day of our lord Jesus’s judgment. God is faithful to keep His promises, He who has called you participate in the life of His son Jesus Christ our lord. 

Now, my brothers and sisters, I urge you, in the authority of our lord Jesus Christ, to get on the same page and stop letting yourselves be split into factions. Restore the unity which you had before in mind and purpose. You see, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there’s infighting going on among you! What I mean is, you’re all boasting in your spiritual pedigree: “I came to Christ under Paul!” or “I was baptized by Apollos!” or “I learned from Peter!” or “I follow nobody but Christ.” Ridiculous! Is Christ the possession of only one faction? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I personally didn’t baptize anyone except Crispus and Gaius so no one would be tempted to think they were somehow baptized in my name! (Now that I think of it I also baptized Stephanus’s family; beyond that, I don’t think I baptized anyone else.) You see, Christ didn’t send me out to baptize but to preach the good news—and not in eloquent or sophisticated language, lest it take the spotlight away from the simple message of the cross itself. 

You see, the message about the cross is nonsense to those who are going astray, but for us who are on the way to deliverance it’s the transformative power of God. As Scripture says, “I will destroy the so-called wisdom of the wise, and reject the so-called logic of the logical.” 

Do the philosophers, rabbis and scholars of the present world order have any reply? No! God has exposed their “wisdom” for the foolishness that it is. You see, since God in His wisdom did not let the world come to know Him through its own wisdom, God chose to rescue those who believe through our “foolish” preaching. Israelites demand God’s truth be validated by miracles, Greeks demand God’s truth be validated by eloquent wisdom—but we simply preach a crucified Messiah, which Israel regards as scandalous and pagans regard as nonsense. But those whom God has called—whether Jewish or otherwise—see Christ truly as the power and wisdom of God. The most “foolish” thing with God is wiser than any human wisdom, and the “weakest” thing with God is stronger than any human strength. 

Just consider your circumstances when God called you, my brothers and sisters: not many of you were intellectuals (as the world counts intellect), not many were influential or upper class. That’s because God chooses foolish people (worldly-speaking) in order to humble the wise, He chooses weak people (worldly-speaking) in order to humble the strong. He chooses the lower class and the rejects and the “nobodies” of the world in order to silence the “somebodies.” None of us get to be prideful before God. It’s because of Him that you have life in Christ Jesus, whom God made to be wisdom for us! Not only that, but Christ is for us a right-standing before God, a holy calling, and deliverance from captivity to sin. And that’s why Scripture says, “You have nothing to brag about except what the Lord has done.”

[hiswordsarekisses]

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” 1Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭31‬