The silence of Jesus...

So I'm reading "The Importance of Being Foolish" by Brennan Manning and am really being blown away. I don't know if it's just because it's where I'm at, but it seems like this book is right up there with "Ragamuffin Gospel" and definitely better than "Ruthless Trust." (other works of Manning's). So i wanted to share something from this book really quick.


here it is----


"The New Testament is relevant only if we grasp the fundamental meaning of the radical demands of the gospel while at the same time understanding that we can never completely fulfill them. None of us can say, "I have kept all the commandments." We always fall short to some extent. Think again of forgiveness. In our hearts none of us have completely fogiven our enemies the way we should. In Jesus's post-Resurrection encounter with the apostles on the beach along the Sea of Tiberias, when one might have expected, as Raymond Brown says, "the impact of unbearable glory," Jesus serves fish and chips. There is no mention, apparently even no memory of their betrayal. Never a reproach or even an indirect reference to their cowardice in the time of testing. No sarcastic greeting like, "Well my fair-weather friends...." No vindictiveness, spite, or humiliating reproach. Only words of warmth and tenderness. The same in the Upper Room as Jesus says, "peace be to you."

This is more than forgiveness. The silence of Jesus is exquisite. To learn the meaning of steadfast friendship, delicacy in dialogue, sensitivity to the feelings of others, and love that "keeps no record of wrongs"(1 Corinthians 13:2), one must listen to the forgiveness in the heart of Jesus as he says to Mary Magdalene on Easter morning, "Go and tell my brothers..." (Matthew 28:10).

-Brennan Manning "The Importance of Being Foolish"

what an amazing love and grace offered to us. i don't understand it.

This love and grace is The Good News.

Have a good one guys :)
-dave