At today's mass the priest asks the Lord to dry our tears and help us through the maze of life. We wander. We go through the motions. I am reminded of Buddha's teaching of Dhamma / Dharma, cause and effect, of running away and chasing after, up and down, knowing no peace of mind, only being a slave to fears and desires, knowing no relief from suffering.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father. (Jn 14:7)
That which cannot be named, Creator, now has a human face, a man called Jesus.
I am in the Father and the Father is in me (Jn 14:10)
Thus we are told to pay attention, that getting to know Jesus is not a waste of time! Both is His words and works, Jesus continues to explain to the gathered disciples, are direct from God who is present in the Christ.
Hogwash? People of the Holy Land must have heard a lot of talk from prophets and rabbi's, holy men and mad men. Jesus had a tough audience, perhaps no different than today. Knowing this he adds:
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves (Jn 14:11)
Wonderful! If faith is a gift and one must accept the gift, perhaps even allowing time for it to nurture and grow, Jesus asks us to believe what we see, for is that not our basis of materialistic belief. St. Thomas said as much; he needed to touch the Christ, his wounds, to believe He had risen. Now we are allowed to let our belief solidify in our minds, but to accept the truth of Jesus' works of compassion, humanity, humbleness and mercy. If we cannot see Love in action, then we are truly blind, standing in the darkness of our own suffering.
Do as Christ does. Know no human aversions, such as washing the feet of a guest or breaking bread with sinners. Do as Christ does: Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father (Jn 14:12). Love heals the one who practises it. Love is infectious. Love teaches and brings peace of mind. Do as Christ does and be free, seems to be His magnificent message. From the Father to the Son to us, humanity, His children too. We are all capable of Love if we can let go of expectation, fear and the oxymoron of materialistic wealth.
If we act in the name of the Christ, God will be present, Jesus promises. If we act with compassion we will know God. The maze of life of which the priest spoke suddenly straightened out and became lighter. So simple, really.
Deo gratias.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father. (Jn 14:7)
That which cannot be named, Creator, now has a human face, a man called Jesus.
I am in the Father and the Father is in me (Jn 14:10)
Thus we are told to pay attention, that getting to know Jesus is not a waste of time! Both is His words and works, Jesus continues to explain to the gathered disciples, are direct from God who is present in the Christ.
Hogwash? People of the Holy Land must have heard a lot of talk from prophets and rabbi's, holy men and mad men. Jesus had a tough audience, perhaps no different than today. Knowing this he adds:
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves (Jn 14:11)
Wonderful! If faith is a gift and one must accept the gift, perhaps even allowing time for it to nurture and grow, Jesus asks us to believe what we see, for is that not our basis of materialistic belief. St. Thomas said as much; he needed to touch the Christ, his wounds, to believe He had risen. Now we are allowed to let our belief solidify in our minds, but to accept the truth of Jesus' works of compassion, humanity, humbleness and mercy. If we cannot see Love in action, then we are truly blind, standing in the darkness of our own suffering.
Do as Christ does. Know no human aversions, such as washing the feet of a guest or breaking bread with sinners. Do as Christ does: Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father (Jn 14:12). Love heals the one who practises it. Love is infectious. Love teaches and brings peace of mind. Do as Christ does and be free, seems to be His magnificent message. From the Father to the Son to us, humanity, His children too. We are all capable of Love if we can let go of expectation, fear and the oxymoron of materialistic wealth.
If we act in the name of the Christ, God will be present, Jesus promises. If we act with compassion we will know God. The maze of life of which the priest spoke suddenly straightened out and became lighter. So simple, really.
Deo gratias.
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