Sunday 5 February 2017

Self-Criticism.


In Buddhism there is a tradition that the novices can criticize their leadership on one day of the year.

This is to ensure that those in authority do not become complacent.

In Judaism God periodically sends a messenger, a prophet, who criticizes the shepherds - the political and religious leaders.

Jesus was a prophet in this tradition.

Jesus said to the Pharisees, "'For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."'" Matthew 23:39 (NRSV)

By this he meant until they accept the criticism which comes from God.

For "he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!"  Isaiah 5:7b (NRSV)


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: Amgad Ellia Flickr via Compfight cc

No comments:

Post a Comment