The Evil of Separation and the Joy of Coming Home

Jesus “is the hand God extends to humanity to draw us out of the mire of sin and to set us firmly on rock, the secure rock of his truth and love”.
Pope Benedict said that most of the world’s problems were caused by human sin, “the evil of separation from God, the prideful presumption of being self-sufficient, of trying to compete with God and to take his place, to decide what is good and evil, to be the master of life and death”.
Jesus came to earth to bring people back to God, to turn them from their sin and to promote reconciliation, dialogue and co-operation, he said (catholicherald.co.uk).

I often wonder upon our separation, what lead us away. Ego. That apple of knowledge, human reason, that cast the first doubt and the first taste of pride. Me thinks the Messiah came to show that humanity can do more than act on their bestial instincts: food, sex, shelter, survival of the fittest, etc. Free Will allows this option, but clearly we can see that this is not the best option as all the suffering this behaviour has caused reveals in our histories.

Does not reconciliation, dialogue and cooperation sound like good ideas? Why are they so difficult then? What gets in the way? Do we choose to flounder in suffering or become aware of how our self keeps us tied through manipulation: anger, greed, despair, pride ... sins because they keep us tied to our Self and separated from the divine.

Oremus:
I pray that through our daily efforts, moment to moment, we remain aware of our True Self, our connection with God, that with the support of the Christ we can reconnect and reconcile our separation to stand on the secure rock of his truth and love. I pray that we might all find our way Home. Amen.

Deo gratias.

Taking Refuge in the Trinity

A Religious mishmash? Perhaps, but to me the Buddhist Refuge 'credo' is so very similar to the doxology 'Glory Be'. Taking refuge from a storm, one feels safe, secure and is reminded of ones motivation for seeking shelter in the first place. Why take any refuge at all? Because we are mortal, we suffer, we need safe havens for our bodies, our minds, our friends and family, our community. Might does not provide a refuge: medieval walls fell, guns provoke only more aggression as do nuclear deterrents. A solid house against the natural world? Christ told us to build our foundations not upon riverbank sands, but upon stone. The Buddha might remind us that even solid stone will be washed away by water on its way to the sea.

Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever (1 Jn 2:15-17)

If then there is nothing on Earth that can provide us with refuge, where can we go? What can we do? Looking around, i see many alternatives, much activity, all bent on creating refuge, a safe haven, a warm house, a secure economy, guaranteed employment, etc. Again, we are reminded by all that is holy, not to invest in worldly comforts, for they will pass. It is in their nature. However, trust and believe in the Father and one shall have eternal life.

Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life (1 Jn 2:24-25). 'Remain in him'. Take refuge again and again and again.

Taking refuge in the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, one can know peace of mind and be safe from darkness, fear, ignorance and the suffering tied to a mortal life. In life there will be pain, there will be grief, there will be loss, for that is our lot as mortal humans, however, we need not Suffer. Christ suffered upon the Cross as a mortal man, however, he was at peace and used his last breath to ask for our forgiveness. The Holy Ghost unites us all into one family, all created by the Father, all welcome to seek refuge through Him, with Him and in Him. And the more we enjoy our refuge, the more we reap from it, the more we can give thanks. We see our brother out in the cold, ignorant of refuge. We invite him in, just as we have been invited.

Oremus:
I give thanks to refuge and pray that my brothers and sisters across the globe my find peace and love and hope and charity in God's refuge. I go for refuge in the Lord. I go for refuge in the Christ. I go for refuge in the Holy Ghost. I pray that we see the similarities that connect us and not the differences that keep us separated. Amen.

Deo gratias.