On Wisdom, Buddha and God

The readings this week from the Book of Wisdom and 1 Thessalonians remind me of the first two 'steps' on Buddha's Eightfold Path: Right View and Right Intention.

For they search busily among his works, but are distracted by what they see, because the things seen are fair (Wis 13:7).

When people are saying, "Peace and security, " then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape (1Thes 5:3).

The material world is full of stupendous wonders, both pleasant and unpleasant. It's easy to imagine that mankind first worshipped in ignorance the sun, trees, winds, blood and powerful men. In a mind without wisdom, basic survival is instinct. Food, shelter, safety for family and health, the world in which we live is both life-giver and enemy. There are no material guarantees. Though men strive for a 'good life', wise men saw a continuous cycle of suffering. Comfort is temporary. Power wanes. Riches can be lost or stolen. Youth becomes old. The living perish through disease, accident, age and war. All of mankind's worldly efforts turn to dust at some point. Clinging relentlessly to pleasure, hoping for only personal wealth and comfort, seems foolish. Living a life in fear of loss and pain and suffering seems to be just as foolish. They are distractions.

Distractions from what? From Truth. From a Reality in which Love exists in each human being, able to be shared, given selflessly, a safe haven from the storms of this life, a magnificent temple reflecting the stupendous wonders of this life on Earth. Israel had found shelter, but seemed to get lost once again. Christ came to free all nations, to light their path and give peace of mind.

Wisdom is the key, the thinking mind able to choose its own path. Right Intent or Right Thought is choosing Love. Making an earnest resolution to choose for a new way of life. Christ did not end the natural world's laws over us. We still have toothaches. Pain still hurts. But with our own choices we can actively choose to avoid distractions that keep us in fear and sensual abandonment. With peace of mind, we are able to help ourselves to help others. Staying 'alert and sober' is Saint Paul's advice to the Thessalonians. Even though that little, fearful ego might resist any effort to change, each person has to choose. Laziness or stress or doubt can make one less alert. Drugs or inbalance will addle the mind's ability to make wise choices. Each individual has to act if we hope to change its Self and the world. Do we choose to be children of the Light? Jesus invites us to try. The Holy Ghost draws us to its true home. We are not alone in our earnest efforts, as the long line of saints do profess. Choosing faith in a loving God full of grace, a councillor, prince, teacher and friend to us, this is nothing more than the first step to enlightenment.

Oremus:
I offer a prayer to all who choose to settle their busy minds and open their hearts to Love. Be at ease and rest in the haven that is the Lord. May their wisdom grow. May they choose new directions with resolve. May they know peace. Amen.

Deo gratias.

Where Vultures Gather

What is life? That is today's query. Eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building, we are busy beavers feeding our bellies and seeking shelter from the perceived cruelties of Nature. Hunger, disease, pain, Buddha described the harshness of life as dukkha. Suffering. Who wants to suffer? Is life all about suffering? Is life all about the pursuit of happiness, running in the opposite direction of suffering? This was Buddha's first lesson, namely that life is suffering.

Buddha's teaching of the the Turning of the First Wheel continued: Life is suffering, but there is a cause to this suffering. And that there is a way out of this suffering. The Buddha's prescription to aid us, is meditation and a moral code. So too, Jesus is telling me the same thing. We scramble and search for a way out, but there is none. Sorry folks, but life is suffering ... if one is bound as a victim to Earthy cause and affect. A fall on one's nose hurts. It's supposed to hurt because we have nerves that let the brain know the body has fallen. Snow is cold. Hunger is uncomfortable. Anger flushes the skin and can literally blind us with rage. All the workings of the body. Yet we have a mind and reason, too! Wisdom can allow us to see life through the eyes of God.
Though the world around us be destroyed, as Jesus describes, we don't have to be carried away to rune. If our faith is strong, we can be aware of another reality, a True Reality separate from the itchy, scratchy, painful, uncomfortable life of material suffering, or the lusty, luxurious, intoxicating, recreating, comfortable life of material pleasure. They do exist. However, if we are bound by their distractions we will suffer daily until our end.

A way out? Know that we are eternally with God, bound only to Him and let the universe turn as it should. We are not attached to the rising and falling of the sun, but rather simply welcome it. We are not attached to the cold rains, but rather welcome them too, as part of God's wondrous creation on Earth. And when we are not attached to the workings of cause and affect, we are free. When we can always stand with two feet on the ground, we are not lost in Self-servitude, but be present for others. Love God. Love our neighbours. Fully present with open hands. Fully present for God and the Holy Ghost in us.

Jesus says, Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather (Lk 17:37). Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, me thinks: What is of this Earth, shall always be of this Earth. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust, that is the way of life on Earth, that is the natural way of all matter on Earth. Give the vultures their due, because this is not Truly who you are. Tied to God, the Holy Ghost is of God and cannot suffer. But distracted, our minds can cloud this Truth with eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting and building. Lost in material life, we suffer. Standing in the Truth of God, we still may suffer, but it will be tolerable because of Love. Rest there, in Love, and be at peace.

Oremus:
I would like to pray to Saint Martin. He is famous for clothing a poor traveler. Running from discomfort, clinging to comfort, perhaps against 'his better reason' and let go. A fine cloak on a cold, wet day fits the bill. Saint Martin understood that putting a fellow man's needs before his own broke the chains of his clinging to comfort and his aversion to discomfort by allowing him to be God's Love. Do i really need all the material wealth i have busily accumulated to ensure my comfort? Martin knew there were no such assurances, only the reality of a cold, naked beggar on a road. And the reality that he could choose to do something about it. We remember him for giving, for putting other's before his own need. May we too, be able to free ourselves from the clinging needs we think as an accepted truth and reach out for that greater Truth that is Love. Amen.

Deo gratias.

The Kingdom Now

Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of God is among us.
This is a new kind of kingdom, one in which we all have membership. This Kingdom is as rich as we are, as poor as we are, as joyful, as hateful, as generous or as mean. We reflect it. We magnify it. And so Christ tells us that each one of us has an influence upon the quality of this Kingdom.
As Mary says, let me magnify the greatness of the Lord. Then i ask myself: How hard am i working to reflect the Lord's greatness in this, our Kingdom?

Some days i see God everywhere and thank him. Some days i forget. On these days i later know that i have been lost in my Self, distracted. And when i settle back into the Wisdom of His presence, i am at peace and thank him again. And i am present for others, able to extend a charitable hand, and thank him once more.

Oremus:
I would like to pray for the elderly, especially those who have lived beyond the lifespan of their children, family and friends. May they approach each morning with renewd strength to carry on for themselves and for those around them. May they know joy living and share the wisdom of a long life. Amen.

Deo gratias.

Closed Door Policy?

From today's gospel reading i understand that the foolish will miss the boat, so to speak. The door will be closed and God will say that He does not know them.
Yet, a group of maidens goes out to wait upon him, some having the foresight to bring enough oil for their lamps, some not. I also wonder about these parables, when goodness, kindness and sharing with one's brothers and sisters seems to be the message, too. But no, today the wiser group declare that they will not share their oil. Nay, by sharing they run the risk of not having enough oil themselves. No, sorry, go buy your own oil (around midnight? Which merchant will be open for business?).

Might not the wise protect and instruct the foolish? Might not the bridegroom be more understanding and reward any effort to bring not only 5 virgins to the wedding feast, but 10? If this is supposed to be an instruction on wisdom, i probably would have questioned the Teacher. Am i not my brother's keeper? How can i leave him standing in the dark, behind a closed door, while inside others are feasting in the light of Love?

Oremus:
I'd like to pray for all those i meet on today's journey, that i might be welcoming, helpful and strong. That i be like the good Samaritan if need be, that i don't pass up the opportunity to aid another. Amen.

Deo gratias.