Possibilities

I am hearing "Be not afraid" quoted quite often these days, and certainly this assurance is what humans have been hearing from angels and prophets, including Jesus, for centuries. It is comforting. When I hear this encouragement, it often leads me reflect on The Beatitudes. They, too, can be comforting in times of loss and struggle because the inherent message in the sermon is that things change.  Luke actually brought this home rather strongly in Luke 6:20-26. In addition to the comfort of knowing that those who hunger will be filled and those who mourn will laugh, he warns that if you are rich, you have already received your consolation, as if to say that your riches are already in the past.  If you are full, you will know hunger.  If you are laughing now, you will know sorrow.  What I hear is the encouragement to  hold on to neither what we might be tempted to call our blessings nor what we might call our struggles.   Hold lightly, because ultimately, there is nothing to hold on to.  Our physical bodies, our minds, our treasures, our gains and our losses are impermanent because this life is change.  This should not be considered dreary news, but rather offers us liberation, and hopefully leads us to generosity.  Once we release our grasping, our hearts are free to experience what Thich Nhat Hanh describes as "the heart of reality". Others would call this reality God.  I tend to call this reality Love.  I think this reality is the "different" peace that Jesus said he offers (John 14:27).

 

In his book, The Art of Living by Thich Nhat Hanh describes impermanence in this way: 

"Impermanence is something wonderful. If things were not impermanent, life would not be possible. A seed could never become a plant of corn; the child couldn't grow into a young adult; there could never be healing and transformation; we could never realize our dreams. So impermanence is very important for life. Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible (116)."  

   

Yes, even peace.  Let us go with open minds and hearts.   

  

Pondering the Beatitudes

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you 

and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, 

for in the same they persecuted 

the prophets who were before you."  

 

Matthew 5:10-11  

   

Jesus then goes on to tell the disciples that they are the salt of the earth and and the light of the world.  This morning, as I often do, I find much comfort in the Beatitudes.  I  hear Jesus whispering, "Keep going," when I read the Sermon on the Mount.  There is always more.  There is the blessedness of God, a love that knows no end and is for all.  As the psalmist says, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it (Psalm 139:6).  

 

Thank you for journeying with me.  Let us remember to pause and look around. Heaven is very close.  Blessed be. 

 

photograph:  San Leandro, March, 2019  

  

Pondering the Beatitudes

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." 

Matthew 5:9

"This peace is 'much larger' than the mind that needs to understand, label, and explain everything." 

Richard Rohr,  Just This

    

photograph:  San Leandro, September 2019    

      

Pondering the Beatitudes

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."   

Matthew 5:8   

    

I think this has to do with our intentions.  On what are we focused?  If we are focused on seeing God's love manifested in this world, we will see and experience that love.  We can take part. If we just concentrate on trying to make ourselves pure, that is simply feeding the ego.  That is a trap because a hungry ego can never be satiated.   

One evening I came home from my yoga class wondering what was I trying to accomplish.  I picked up the book Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar.  This phrase surfaced: "to gain strength to serve the Lord."  I smiled and gave thanks.    

  

I believe the attached photograph was taken in 2019.  

  

  

Pondering the Beatitudes

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy."   

Matthew 5:7    

  

photograph:  San Leandro, July, 2015    

    

Pondering the Beatitudes

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."   

Matthew 5:6    

 

In my ministry with SpiritCare, I read from the Common English Bible.  In that translation, the Beatitudes read "Happy are those..."  The change still surprises me, but we should be surprised by Scripture. It is good not only to be surprised, but confused, and even angered.  As long as we stay engaged, some truths will emerge for each of us.   Bible study groups can be very helpful.  One of the elders I serve tells of a Bible study group that he was a part of for over twenty years.  He is quite frail now, but I do believe he was filled by the rhythm of regularly coming together to read, study, and share with people he loved.      

   

I am trying to let the Beatitudes guide my walk.  Yesterday I was reminded that when I am feeling impatient, I am anything but meek.  That was helpful.  I also learned something about being "poor in spirit,"  that willingness to accept my life just as it is, knowing I am on a journey.  This is one of the lessons of the Beatitudes.  I hear Jesus saying, "Keep going; this moment does not have the last word.  There is more."  And that more is God.         

Pondering the Beatitudes

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." 

Matthew 5:5   

  

A few days ago, I was waiting to sign in at the receptionist desk at a skilled nursing community.   A robed Buddhist monk was signing out.  The receptionist asked him if his visit had been nice.  He paused, smiled and then his entire essence seemed to illuminate happiness.  He quietly replied, "Oh yes, always so beautiful."   I felt I was in the presence of Christ, and I was humbled at the altar.     

    

In our society, we do not trust the word meek.  It seems to imply weakness, but in that moment, I believe that monk was at complete peace, and that peace is what he offered.  He offered himself. What if we all walked in that peace?  Isn't this the peace that Jesus spoke of when he said, "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Do not be troubled or afraid (John 14:27)"?    

 

I encourage us all to have a moment of meekness today; it can change the world.  

  

photograph:  San Leandro, February, 2019       

   

Pondering the Beatitudes

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they will be comforted." 

Matthew 5:4   

  

photograph:  San Leandro, February 2019  

   

Pondering the Beatitudes

"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."   

Matthew 5:3   

        

   

photograph:  San Leandro, April 2019