In Stillness We Listen

And he said to him, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by. And there was a great and strong wind, tearing apart the mountains, and crushing the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind, there was an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, there was a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the whisper of a gentle breeze. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

I bumped into this reading twice this week. No coincidences? Of course God is in the fires and storms, as He is everywhere, but I don't think we are listening, what with the fear and adrenaline of personal safety at hand. When we quieten the mind and body, we become open. And being open, all that we require is a soft breeze to awaken us, lead us to that next step, reveal covered truths. Jesus tells us not to put our faith in material things that can be stolen, that decay, that like all matter on Earth shall turn to dust.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. (Mt 6:19-20)

In the whisper of a soft breeze, we can hear the Lord. In the stillness of our mind, the Holy Ghost can speak. Are we present? Am I cleaning house, preparing the temple of the Lord given to me so that I might see all and hear all that He reveals? In the chase after things that glitter, that desires that fill my pride and the perceived needs that feed my hunger, is there room for the simple, the humble, the fraternal, the outstretched hand of loving-kindness? In stillness, I know better. Let me abandon the fruitless, the futile, the inflated and let my heart be in turn empty of Self-pride, ready at all times to heard Your voice, serve and give thanks for my life and knowing truly what glory life can be.

Deo gratias.

Unobserved Holiness

Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them (Mt 6:1)

I find it remarkable that what Jesus recommends to us we give alms, pray and fast, is recommended through the wisdom of other beliefs as well. A universal truth? Or simple God present in all nations at all times, from the beginning until the end. I bought a T-shirt in Thailand with a picture of the back of a sitting Buddha. On his back is a tiny square of gold leaf. The text is Buddha's: Do good things although nobody sees it.

When we go against our natural selfish desires and give a part of ourselves to our brothers, the ego demands consolation. "See all, look at me, how good and generous, how holy, how wonderful i am!". While giving we can inflate our Self. Ironically, through loosing our Self we only then reinforce it and make it stronger.

Hence the recommendation to undermine the ego, to nip any pride at the bud. Why give if no one knows? Good question. Who is asking the question? The ego. A gift has no strings attached. 'It is better to give than to receive', we say, but do we mean it? No strings, no expectations, no judgement calls such as so-and-so is not worthy, no double think such as 'i'd like to give, but i know he'll just just the money to buy drugs' or 'i'd give but that little girl will just have the money taken from her' or 'no i wont give anything because i already gave at the office / church / relief fund'.

Outside our church there is often someone begging for coins. Having put all my coins in the collection trays and the rest in the boxes for candles, just as i was exiting there stood a woman inside the church begging. My first thought was 'Inside? Oh, please, waiting outside the exit is manipulative enough! But to come in and beg? The gumption!'. Christians are supposed to be easy prey: full of goodness and charity and reminded of it by priest and sacrament at mass, how can we turn it off or ignore it the moment we exit the building? In Western Europe we pay lots of tax to fund ventures that keep the poor fed and clothed and under a roof. To beg on the street is then a choice, not need, we tell ourselves. The ego is justifying its tightening of the purse strings. We judge before we even reach into our pocket. I'd like to apologise to that woman. Whatever her reason to beg, i should not care and rejoice in the chance to give her something, even if it isn't the shirt off my back.

What goes around, comes around. I give unconditionally. I receive too, unconditionally; 'Your Father knows what you need before you ask him' (Mt 6:8)

Deo gratias.

Turn That Other Cheek!

But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. (Mt 5:39)

Turn the other cheek? One of the more popular attributes of Christiany, me thinks. Everyone knows this one probably because it's the most ridiculous ... at least in his or her mind. We bicker and shout and glow red with anger over any number of theological ideas or Catholic views we are expected to abide, but this! No, this recommendation of Jesus can be forgotten because it is unsound, unsafe and unattainable.

I think that Christianity stands or falls on the basis of this 'world view'. It's all about the motive. Do we love our neighbour as we love our-Self? Do we love God and see Him at work in all life? Do we have control over our own minds? Our own reflexes? Do we choose wisely what we think, say and do at all times (and not just when it's convenient)? Do we see our attacker, our accuser, our vilest foe as our brother, yes, who at this moment has chosen an unwise action, but who still is and shall always be a brother to me under God, do i see him as he truly is now, fearful, out of control, lost in emotion, lacking in wisdom, misguided, lost, do i see him and have pity on him and show him the same grace and mercy that God shows us ... even when this brother strikes our cheek? Be as Christ taught us to be. Stand as Christ stands. This is surely what it is to be Christian?

Impossible!

Outrageous!

We would be better off crucifying divorcees, gays, unwed mothers, prostitutes and tax-collectors! Punishing those who are 'evil' and taking our revenge that is so sweet! Taking an eye for an eye is only fair!? If i suffer than they should suffer too!?

Before casting that first stone ... know that i forgive you and say a prayer for you and your pain and suffering as a man lost in the darkness of doubt, fear and confusion. 'Offer no resistance', Jesus tells us. Include and not exclude, me thinks. Our bodies may suffer but if our minds are strong and our will set, then we can stand with dignity, fearless before the darkness that surrounds humanity, even our brothers.

Of course, these are words and the deed is what counts. God grant me the faith to persevere when the weather turns harsh, to stand true when confronted with the lies of anger and to never fail to see truly the man before me, even my enemy, as my brother, to be loved as you love me.

Deo gratias.