Showing posts with label karma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label karma. Show all posts

October 10, 2011

Giving to the Poor, Variation of a Theme

They'll Know We Are Christians
Lyrics by Carolyn Arends

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We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love 

We cannot ever overlook Tzedakah, charity to the world as the Jewish faith teaches. What  our Christian inheritance contains is a teaching of charity according to the ancients that helps first and foremost the giver; the focus of the teaching is upon the giver. Some are materially poor, others are poor in spirit; while still others are poor in mind or health. All of us experience some form of poverty in our lives.
Charitable behavior is central to Jewish ethics and thought. It is rooted in the concepts of fairness, justice and equity. Notice that nowhere in this idea do we find the words pity, sorrow or giving favors. And central to this idea is that all are deserving of charity in the way of food, clothing and shelter. It is rectifying an injustice to another, giving what all should have in the first place. And there is poverty of several types. Thus a just society is one adjudged to have complete charity for one and all. Perfect  karma.
The Last Judgment Matthew 25:
The king will say, you have my father’s blessing! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. I was hungry and you gave food; I was naked and you clothed me; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me. And when I was ill or imprisoned, you visited with me.[In the end] we will answer for our brothers; as you did for the least of them, you did for me.
Matthew 25:31-46