But, long before that, as Jesus died and said "It is finished", the veil of the Holy of Holies, where the Ark was kept, was torn open to the common gaze. God was no longer present there. Instead, under the new covenant, signed in Jesus' blood, he is now present in his people. The temple now is not a building but the community of disciples. And that is where we are both to find him and reveal him. "As often as you do or do not do it to the very least of my brothers and sisters you do or do not do it to me." (Sacred Space: homily on 1 Kings 8:9-13)
The Old Testament is read at almost every mass. Christianity is simply a continuation of the story of God's relationship with the Hebrews. Christians have saints who lived and died in their personal attempt to live as Jesus did. Jews have prophets who had a special relationship with the divine and brought His words to the people. From the East came 3 wise men or magi bearing gifts for the baby born in Bethlehem, the Christ, God come among us in the flesh.
What say you then of a man, a prince, who turned his back on wealth and status, power and duty to family, friends and a very complex religion of gods and rituals, who went among the meek, poor, sick and alienated of the world to understand himself the Truth behind the veil of suffering that seemed to be daily life? What say you then of a mortal who gave up everything to receive enlightenment, and having beheld the Truth, having seen that for which there are no words, having understood Love, chose to spend the rest of his life teaching anyone who had ears to find out for himself this verysame Truth? Travelling, teaching, living daily as a role model and inspiration, sometimes revealing frustration at his followers follies, always patient and forgiving, this man reminds me of St. Paul, convert, reformed man, apostle and friend of the Divine. What say you of a man who's message predates the coming of the Christ, yet still offers hope of understanding and escaping the painful shackles of human suffering (Four Noble Truths) and encouraging a voluntary (and yes to many a radical) purification of the way we live so that we may become less Self centred, more giving, more loving, more compassionate beings (Eightfold Path)? Live simply. Live peacefully. Live without clinging to material things. Live, learning to let go of earthly woes simply because the Truth in Love lies not having, but giving. You are not who you think you are, he said. Jesus says the same. The Apostles say the same. When we do good for others we can know this truth, too, and move closer to knowing God. Don't waste time discussing the Law, the rituals, the actions of other men as right or wrong, just pull up your sleeves and get to work improving your self for the benefit of others!
In our church there are many statues of saints, of great men and women we are to remember for what they meant for the Church and faith. All men created in the image of God, we are told. Jesus came to bring change to the Jews. His message later crossed cultural lines to embrace non-Jews. As a teacher and revolutionary, i would welcome a statue of Siddhattha Gotama in my church, as a reminder of the dedication and constant vigilance he showed for his love of all mankind. And thus, it would not surprise me to learn that one of the wise men or magi that visited the newborn Christ was a follower of the Buddha.
As a Catholic, if i have room for attention to saints and prophets, then i certainly have room to embrace the brilliant teachings of simple bare-footed practitioners of compassion.
The Old Testament is read at almost every mass. Christianity is simply a continuation of the story of God's relationship with the Hebrews. Christians have saints who lived and died in their personal attempt to live as Jesus did. Jews have prophets who had a special relationship with the divine and brought His words to the people. From the East came 3 wise men or magi bearing gifts for the baby born in Bethlehem, the Christ, God come among us in the flesh.
What say you then of a man, a prince, who turned his back on wealth and status, power and duty to family, friends and a very complex religion of gods and rituals, who went among the meek, poor, sick and alienated of the world to understand himself the Truth behind the veil of suffering that seemed to be daily life? What say you then of a mortal who gave up everything to receive enlightenment, and having beheld the Truth, having seen that for which there are no words, having understood Love, chose to spend the rest of his life teaching anyone who had ears to find out for himself this verysame Truth? Travelling, teaching, living daily as a role model and inspiration, sometimes revealing frustration at his followers follies, always patient and forgiving, this man reminds me of St. Paul, convert, reformed man, apostle and friend of the Divine. What say you of a man who's message predates the coming of the Christ, yet still offers hope of understanding and escaping the painful shackles of human suffering (Four Noble Truths) and encouraging a voluntary (and yes to many a radical) purification of the way we live so that we may become less Self centred, more giving, more loving, more compassionate beings (Eightfold Path)? Live simply. Live peacefully. Live without clinging to material things. Live, learning to let go of earthly woes simply because the Truth in Love lies not having, but giving. You are not who you think you are, he said. Jesus says the same. The Apostles say the same. When we do good for others we can know this truth, too, and move closer to knowing God. Don't waste time discussing the Law, the rituals, the actions of other men as right or wrong, just pull up your sleeves and get to work improving your self for the benefit of others!
In our church there are many statues of saints, of great men and women we are to remember for what they meant for the Church and faith. All men created in the image of God, we are told. Jesus came to bring change to the Jews. His message later crossed cultural lines to embrace non-Jews. As a teacher and revolutionary, i would welcome a statue of Siddhattha Gotama in my church, as a reminder of the dedication and constant vigilance he showed for his love of all mankind. And thus, it would not surprise me to learn that one of the wise men or magi that visited the newborn Christ was a follower of the Buddha.
As a Catholic, if i have room for attention to saints and prophets, then i certainly have room to embrace the brilliant teachings of simple bare-footed practitioners of compassion.
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