Author Archives: Tim Short

Chapter Six A: Examples of the Teaching of Jesus on Spiritual Poverty

I have asserted in the reflection just concluded that the gospels in their entirety can be seen as an expression of Jesus’ devotion to Spiritual Poverty. As a bit of proof, here is a short addendum based on chapter ten of the gospel of Mark, which is the gospel chapter I was contemplating as IContinue reading “Chapter Six A: Examples of the Teaching of Jesus on Spiritual Poverty”

Chapter Six: Spiritual Poverty

The Gospel of Mark, 12:41-44: Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him,Continue reading “Chapter Six: Spiritual Poverty”

Chapter Five: Self-Denial

The Gospel of Mark, 9:13-15: They came to Capernaum.  When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?”  But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.  Sitting down, Jesus called the twelve and said, “If anyone wants to beContinue reading “Chapter Five: Self-Denial”

Chapter Four: Penance

The Gospel of Mark: 1:4, 14-15: And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins………… After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” The gospel of MarkContinue reading “Chapter Four: Penance”

Chapter Three: Gratitude

The Letter of St. Paul to Titus, 3:3-7: At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, butContinue reading “Chapter Three: Gratitude”

Chapter One: Background and Introduction

The Gospel of Mark 4:26-29: He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then theContinue reading “Chapter One: Background and Introduction”

Letting God’s Will Prevail

I attended Unity Day a couple weeks ago.  This annual early August gathering invites all Secular Franciscans in the Our Lady of Indiana Region (northern half of the state) to a day of formation and fellowship.  There is a guest speaker who gives presentations before and after lunch and there is plenty of time forContinue reading “Letting God’s Will Prevail”

Something New (A Short Story)

I have been thinking hard for some time now about whether or not the material I am posting today belongs on this site. I’ve been working on it for several months and just made a final push to finish it last week. Today’s entry is not part of a formation series or a stand aloneContinue reading “Something New (A Short Story)”

Journey Thru John, Chapter 14: On Peace

If you have one of those bibles where the words of Jesus are indicated in red, take a second look at chapter 14 just on the macro level.  There are 31 verses in the chapter.  Only three of them are in black.  Everything else is in red to indicate that Jesus is speaking.  If youContinue reading “Journey Thru John, Chapter 14: On Peace”