Take Nothing for the Journey

When we hear Jesus instruct His disciples not to take anything with them when they go on a journey they may have been slightly concerned.  Can you imagine if this were asked of us?  Don’t take a thing with you on vacation, business trip, or when you move to a new town!

There is strength in detachment from material items and that same strength in the poverty of spirit.  We are less concerned with the toys of the world and can focus on the people in our life and be present to the working of the Holy Spirit.

What Jesus is getting at here is that there is no room for distractions from what is important. If people hear the message and don’t listen; don’t waste your time trying to fill a cup that is full.  They won’t  hear it. It won’t sink in.

In the same way, if our cup is full of unnecessary things we won’t be able to allow the moment to take over.  We won’t hear the message.

There are messages for us at every moment.  Trust in the Divine Presence. Empty our vessels from unnecessary clutter so that we may hear the moment.

“Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”

Luke 8:19-21

Today, Jesus, asks us to open our mind to the relationship that already exists in the world.  When he says that "being his brothers and mother are those that hear the will of God and act on it". He says we are connected, we act with synchronization no matter our understanding of blood relative. 

Being at one with the people around us, nature, and indeed the entire universe is a relationship we are in.  So, that in this regard, we are already home.  

Don't wait to die to enjoy the kingdom of heaven! 

We are Hypocrites

When we hear the word "Woe" we stop and give full attention to the one that used the word to see why we should woe.  Perhaps it's a danger of physical injury, or perhaps there is a need for focus and concentration on a specific matter.

Today we are hearing Jesus say this "woe" to bring us to a deep understanding of our behaviors that spring from the interior.  So many times we hear Jesus tell us that this is not a show, or that we need to be focused on the true intentions of our words and actions.  Culture tells us this is all a show and we can fall for it.

We all have the keys to the kingdom, we are all united to the body of Christ by the very nature of our core, the soul.  When we look at our thoughts and see the nasty muck of our intentions it's not hard to understand why Jesus calls us hypocrites.  

We are not pro-life if we are not in favor of a healthcare system that provides equal treatment and we fail to support life by closing our homes to those threatened by tyranny and abuse and even murder.  

We fail to see that our own words will convict us and Jesus points that out so that we may correct our behaviors and provide a healthy and life giving community.  "That we all may be One" John 17:21

Becoming is not easy, but we have reminders like this one to help us drive home the point.

Good Friday

Yesterday, Judas, betrayed Jesus. 
Today He lives under the most cruel conditions. 
Today we beat and whip the spirit of hopeful people into the ground. 
We stomp out the flame of Hope in the world.
We reduce the human person to a commodity.
We value the dollar more than human life.
But, someone paid Judas.  Judas was not alone in the plot.
How much have we betrayed Christ for?
As we gaze upon the cruel human behavior and the wood that holds deaths last push, let us remain strong and hopeful that Easter comes and we are made new!  

Holy Thursday

The washing of the feet at our Lords' supper is the example of being human that we need to follow.  Using our mind to shed the "either-or" thinking and to explore and incorporate, and to eventually live by, non-dual thinking.  

It's not our fault, in so far as we are equipped with and taught the very basics as children.  We isolate into common groups, sports teams, pattern identification in school testing, it all became the system in which we operate with. 

Jesus came to show us that we can use another way to bring the Kingdom to us here.   It requires us to be empathetic, understanding, courageous, inclusive, and a person of action.

Washing the feet opens the door to a new way of thinking.  Serve, lead, work with, incorporate and include, advance the meaning and reason for the law.  It says that "I share in your life"  "We are equal"

Remember that the example of Christ and our response will shape the future and build a better world.

My brothers, "Be still" 

Wednesday of Holy Week

Matthew 26: 14-25

The gospel is reminding us that in this dark night comes redemption.  The glory of the Father is to be made full in time and we get a glimpse of the life He won for us.  No matter our geographical location we are in His Love.  We are always in His Love.  

We hold out for what is to come.  The wheels are in motion and Jesus reminds us that in our weakness we are made strong.   Jesus is troubled and knows what to do.  Pray and wait.

Tuesday of Holy Week

John 13: 21-33 36-38

When we look at the Passion we often think; "Man, Judas, what were you thinking?"  And yet when we gossip and back bite we do the same to Jesus.  We betray the divine in each other, we betray with the sweet words of a nice conversation that turns into the wrong kind of conversation.  We judge and sell each other to be popular or perhaps to get back at someone.

The gospel lets us know that Jesus is showing us how to respond to the betrayal, with food, with kindness, with suffering. 

Transforming the betrayal into redemption is what we are called to do.  When we have been talked about or scandalized we need to focus on Jesus dipping the morsel of food and then leaving the rest up to God.

We are called to be different in our approach and responses. 

Act with Love and Love will act.