The Pilgrims Correspondence

Christian Greetings Beloved, I write to you with a heart that feels the weight of this moment. The recent election has left many of us feeling shaken, uncertain, and, for some, deeply saddened. The news that former President Trump has won this election is challenging for many who fear the divisions his leadership has sown and the potential for further unrest. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher vision—a vision of peace, love, and understanding that transcends political affiliation. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). These words are both a comfort and a challenge. They remind us that our identity as Christians is rooted not in political allegiance but in our commitment to embodying God’s love. Peacemaking is not passive; it is an active commitment to bridge divides, to understand those who differ from us, and to speak and act with humility and compassion. It would be easy to let t...

     Christian Greetings Beloved,      The phrase, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," from Proverbs 9:10, attributed to King Solomon, is well-known. However, examining the original Hebrew reveals nuances lost in many English translations. The phrase reads, “Tov sek-hel Hashem yirat reisheit chokh-ma,” where the term yirat (יראה) suggests meanings closer to reverence or honor than to fear. A more accurate translation would therefore be, "Reverence of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." This nuanced interpretation invites us to consider a deeper connection between wisdom and divinity. Wisdom is intrinsically tied to the nature of God and that a life devoted to wisdom offers profound benefits, even as wisdom and honor frequently intertwine.      Consider, for example, the intellectual who predicts rain from the clouds versus the wise person who, seeing the clouds, prepares appropriately. Wisdom, then, is more than deduction; it...