Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Reflection:

Jesus tells us a story about two men from 2 very different backgrounds.  The Pharisee was part of the religious leadership and was very much respected by others in society.  In contrast, the tax collector was from a despised profession where many of his cohorts practiced extortion and dishonest tactics.  Even though the Pharisee outwardly appeared to have everything, he actually lacked an essential element in life; and while this tax collector was despised and thought to have nothing, he possessed something very essential- a deep awareness of his own unworthiness and a desperate need for God’s mercy.

This parable reminds us that regardless of our status or perception by others, we are all the same; we are all in need of God’s mercy.  And as we grow in this understanding, we are to live with all of our hearts and lives before our merciful and loving God.

Responding to the Transmission:

As we spend time in prayer today, let’s lay down any false notions of dependence on our own abilities or ourselves.  Instead, let’s humbly come before the Lord seeking His mercy and asking for his strength to go throughout the day.

Image Courtesy of New York Times

Atttention American S.T.E.M.(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) majors!

The international community is kicking you $#%&@!..

The problem seems to stem (pun intended) from rising attrition rates,

“40 percent of students planning engineering and science majors end up switching to other subjects or failing to get any degree,”

and that number rises to 60 percent when one includes pre-med majors.

The problems don’t stop there. Despite impressive gains in higher education as a whole (for the first time ever, more women than men received PhDs in 2009), women still lag behind men in S.T.E.M. fields, with the exception of Biology.

While women between 17-18% of Bachelors degrees in engineering and computer science, and around 40% in math and the physical sciences,   they hold a remarkable 58% of all degrees awarded in Biology.

Paula E. Stephan, an economist at Georgia State University says,

“Women historically have been interested in subjects that were less math intensive and that had goals of helping people, and biology and the medical sciences have both of those.”

What are our educators to do?

Many experts recommend redesigning curriculums to focus on hands-on applied learning experiences, rather than rote memorization of formulas in overcrowded lectures.

Arthur C. Heinricher, the dean of undergraduate studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, says,

“That kind of early engagement, and letting them see they can work on something that is interesting and important, is a big deal. That hooks students.”

It’s been an eventful few weeks with the Occupy movement around the country. The video above show the aerial view what is estimated to be 100,000 Occupy protestors taking over a highway in Oakland last week.

Now that more people are looking at the movement, some criticism on the recent weeks of police violence has been emerging. One marine says that the crowd-control methods of the Oakland police are even prohibited in war zones.

Saturday marked the International Day of Divestment from international banks where thousands of people transferred their money from big corporations like Bank of America to local credit unions. One report shows that since September 29, 4 in 5 credit unions have seen membership increases. This is an increase more than all new membership in 2010.

Over at Occupy Wallstreet, female protestors have constructed a safe haven for women. This safe house is in response to the few incidents of sexual assault that have taken place in Zuccotti Park.

Still confused about what this movement is and why people are so passionate about it? Take a look at this short animation that summarizes the problems at hand.

And FYI – we’re putting the final touches on our first installment of our own #DOCcupy that features our local movement in Baltimore. Fingers crossed that it’ll launch this week!

Here are the results for the Nov. 5th IHSA show at Christopher Newport University:

Jennifer Mohr - 4th Novice on the Flat (now 1 point away from pointing up!)
Ashlee Della Mae Fleming - 6th Novice on the Flat
Drew Duhan - 6th Novice over Fences
Amber Myers - 4th Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter
Kyra Cowles - 5th Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter