Faith fuels my matriarchy, where it confused my motherhood. I am almost sixty. Having lived through the silence of my mothers and the sins of our fathers, I am no longer willing to be silent as I carry anyone else's sins. I bow under the burden of the secrets that I've already heard, not because I offered but because no one else would lend and ear. I now speak out against all the evils that I have come to know.
We have been living under a set of lies, perpetrated by those who did not live what they preached, but sought to set us on paths away from their own perdition. "Don't do as I did," they say. Unless we check their advice against the wisdom of the ages, there's little chance that we should believe that they profess a proper new way.
All animals learn by example, and we are animals before being infused with our souls. Even then, we are helpless to survive outside the good graces of our community of origin. Isn't it wonderful to live in a democracy where we are free to begin again?
I will follow only those who walk the walk, for it is only in seeing the fruit that I will judge a tree.
I will profess only those beliefs that I've seen in action, for many generations preceding me.
I will warn others of the evils of which I've been warned, hoping to help others to avoid the millstone's noose.
I will admit the problems that I've caused myself and others, so that the sins of my mothers and fathers may finally be set loose.
I will seek to balance the weaknesses of being human with the strengths of others in relationships.
I will offer to salve the wounds of those bloodied in the battles, and to relieve revenge bit by bit.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Commitment to Compassion
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken husband to wife and wife to husband in marriage.
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken by a mother as she embraces her children.
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken by a father every time his labor pays for his family's food.
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken by a teacher every time a child learns to read and write.
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken by the armed forces every time they are on the front lines.
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken by a nurse at the bedside of a patient in pain.
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken by all who reach out in love and minister to others.
This commitment to compassionate action is the true communion of saints, and it is how we help create heaven on earth.
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken by a mother as she embraces her children.
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken by a father every time his labor pays for his family's food.
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken by a teacher every time a child learns to read and write.
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken by the armed forces every time they are on the front lines.
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken by a nurse at the bedside of a patient in pain.
"This is my body. This is my blood" words that can be spoken by all who reach out in love and minister to others.
This commitment to compassionate action is the true communion of saints, and it is how we help create heaven on earth.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Our Country, Compassion and Christ
In observing the way our country behaves after we win a foreign war, I am proud. It is true that sometimes we have to push back against evil, but we seek to repair the wounds of our wars in other countries. Why are we still so unwilling to do the same on our own soil?
Can't we see that we can't go back to the days before our enlightenment regarding other races, creeds, religions, and gender differences? Those who attempt to bring us back to a rule of fear must be ignored as we stand together in a circle of Light and Love and look always toward creating justice.
The collective resistance in the countries with the most despotic leaders gives me a new sense of hope for eventual peace on earth to those of good will. If there is any lesson that we most desperately need to learn from Biblical religion, it's that marching together against something is not the same as standing together for something. Standing for their values and their people was the way of Moses and Jesus. It was also the real power behind women's suffrage, civil rights, the right to choose how to profess one's patriotism, and the renewal of the individual's path to the Spirit of The Divine.
I grew up with a punishing God who seemed to most closely resemble the earthly kings who used fear to keep their subjects in line. Fear as a method of controlling people extended to all relationships; the biggest bullies would always win. Little-by-little, since my adolescence, we seem to be moving toward a gentler view of The Almighty. Unfortunately, we now seem to be frozen in place as to how to behave toward one another.
In seeking peace, love, and brotherhood, we may have stopped passing such quick judgments on each other, but we seem to have lost all judgment in general (that which used to be called "common sense"). It seems to me that there is ample scripture in all religions that give guidance for how to live in harmony with our earth and fellow humans, but we like to pretend that we can each do as we please and there will be no consequence outside of our own life and time. Even in love, there are still immutable laws.
What I reap, either I, or the generations that follow me, will surely sow. This is simply the way the circle of life works. When will we learn that there is enough to go around only if we each exercise our talents and the human ability to say no to ourselves in order to keep life in balance for all?
Protest, prayer, and love, only bear fruit when put into action. There is no earthly power that can prevail when those who see The Light put circles of Light and Love around the vulnerable instead of allowing the despots to continue punishing those who still haven't found their footing in the post-patriarchal world. When will we realize that unless I'm willing to stand with you as we together address the issues of injustice, there is no benefit to me pointing out the error of your ways, or the ways of the rest of the world.
Moses and Jesus taught by words and deeds while tending to the very human needs of their followers. Jesus was a man who followed the laws of his forefathers while promoting compassion and justice for even the least law abiding among men and women. He also made it clear that we were to make amends to those we harmed. I am encouraged when I see those who call themselves followers of Christ stop finding fault and form protective circles shining with the Light of Love that they follow. The only evangelism that is honest is that which comes with compassionate action, and it is the only way to cure hatred and fear.
We are One in The Spirit
copyright 1966 Peter Scholte, F.E.L. (licensed)
(Italics mine)
We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
And they'll know we are Christians by our Love,
By our Love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our Love.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
And we'll guard each person's dignity
And save each person's pride.
And they'll know we are Christians by our Love,
By our Love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our Love.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
And together we'll spread the News
that The Holy Spirit's in our land.
Can't we see that we can't go back to the days before our enlightenment regarding other races, creeds, religions, and gender differences? Those who attempt to bring us back to a rule of fear must be ignored as we stand together in a circle of Light and Love and look always toward creating justice.
The collective resistance in the countries with the most despotic leaders gives me a new sense of hope for eventual peace on earth to those of good will. If there is any lesson that we most desperately need to learn from Biblical religion, it's that marching together against something is not the same as standing together for something. Standing for their values and their people was the way of Moses and Jesus. It was also the real power behind women's suffrage, civil rights, the right to choose how to profess one's patriotism, and the renewal of the individual's path to the Spirit of The Divine.
I grew up with a punishing God who seemed to most closely resemble the earthly kings who used fear to keep their subjects in line. Fear as a method of controlling people extended to all relationships; the biggest bullies would always win. Little-by-little, since my adolescence, we seem to be moving toward a gentler view of The Almighty. Unfortunately, we now seem to be frozen in place as to how to behave toward one another.
In seeking peace, love, and brotherhood, we may have stopped passing such quick judgments on each other, but we seem to have lost all judgment in general (that which used to be called "common sense"). It seems to me that there is ample scripture in all religions that give guidance for how to live in harmony with our earth and fellow humans, but we like to pretend that we can each do as we please and there will be no consequence outside of our own life and time. Even in love, there are still immutable laws.
What I reap, either I, or the generations that follow me, will surely sow. This is simply the way the circle of life works. When will we learn that there is enough to go around only if we each exercise our talents and the human ability to say no to ourselves in order to keep life in balance for all?
Protest, prayer, and love, only bear fruit when put into action. There is no earthly power that can prevail when those who see The Light put circles of Light and Love around the vulnerable instead of allowing the despots to continue punishing those who still haven't found their footing in the post-patriarchal world. When will we realize that unless I'm willing to stand with you as we together address the issues of injustice, there is no benefit to me pointing out the error of your ways, or the ways of the rest of the world.
Moses and Jesus taught by words and deeds while tending to the very human needs of their followers. Jesus was a man who followed the laws of his forefathers while promoting compassion and justice for even the least law abiding among men and women. He also made it clear that we were to make amends to those we harmed. I am encouraged when I see those who call themselves followers of Christ stop finding fault and form protective circles shining with the Light of Love that they follow. The only evangelism that is honest is that which comes with compassionate action, and it is the only way to cure hatred and fear.
We are One in The Spirit
copyright 1966 Peter Scholte, F.E.L. (licensed)
(Italics mine)
We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
And they'll know we are Christians by our Love,
By our Love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our Love.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
And we'll guard each person's dignity
And save each person's pride.
And they'll know we are Christians by our Love,
By our Love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our Love.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
And together we'll spread the News
that The Holy Spirit's in our land.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
The Center of Salvation
We may all belong to an endless loop made of Love and Light,
With all of nature that exists as gifts for our delight.
But there are those who worship the gods of jealousy and greed,
Using fear to create, in creation, a false sense of need.
They produce a world of too much, too fast, too concentrated
They convince so many to, with this system, be elated:
Having such benevolent overseers watching out for them,
Anticipating our wants and fulfilling our every whim.
We step out of the protective circle of The Infinite Calm,
Substituting pleasure for The Almighty's healing balm.
The Love is then crowded out and we receive no Light
Until all creation seeks The Center, there seems no hope in sight.
With all of nature that exists as gifts for our delight.
But there are those who worship the gods of jealousy and greed,
Using fear to create, in creation, a false sense of need.
They produce a world of too much, too fast, too concentrated
They convince so many to, with this system, be elated:
Having such benevolent overseers watching out for them,
Anticipating our wants and fulfilling our every whim.
We step out of the protective circle of The Infinite Calm,
Substituting pleasure for The Almighty's healing balm.
The Love is then crowded out and we receive no Light
Until all creation seeks The Center, there seems no hope in sight.
Friday, March 25, 2011
The Psyche and the Soul
Is the psyche the same as the soul, or is the soul something else all together? That little spark of "something special" that makes us human...where in us does it live? It cannot be in the heart, as my Richard's love for me changed not one whit when he had a heart transplant.
We used to believe that all sin was caused by wickedness passed down from parents to progeny, but we now look for causes that can be cured. The terrible temper that I feared in my father is part of my parenting pattern. I try mightily to overcome it, and often have to simply go to sleep or walk away. Now, I find that perhaps my moods are correctable parts of my consciousness. So, if this consciousness is in my brain, is my brain the seat of my soul?
There are events and people who infect the soul, leaving it with pits of pain. A core of calm is where Love lives, and the only thing that will protect us from plummeting into the pits of our pain. It is also the only place where we will be sure to have people patiently waiting to pull us out of the pit. With enough peace, will our psyches (souls?) eventually heal?
And how do we keep ourselves from being re-infected while we are loving our enemies?
LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH
(Jill Jackson / Mark Miller) - circa 1955
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With Love as our Creator
Siblings all are we.
Let me walk with my all others
In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.
(child)
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With Love as our Creator
Siblings all are we.
Let me walk with all others
In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
We used to believe that all sin was caused by wickedness passed down from parents to progeny, but we now look for causes that can be cured. The terrible temper that I feared in my father is part of my parenting pattern. I try mightily to overcome it, and often have to simply go to sleep or walk away. Now, I find that perhaps my moods are correctable parts of my consciousness. So, if this consciousness is in my brain, is my brain the seat of my soul?
There are events and people who infect the soul, leaving it with pits of pain. A core of calm is where Love lives, and the only thing that will protect us from plummeting into the pits of our pain. It is also the only place where we will be sure to have people patiently waiting to pull us out of the pit. With enough peace, will our psyches (souls?) eventually heal?
And how do we keep ourselves from being re-infected while we are loving our enemies?
LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH
(Jill Jackson / Mark Miller) - circa 1955
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With Love as our Creator
Siblings all are we.
Let me walk with my all others
In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.
(child)
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With Love as our Creator
Siblings all are we.
Let me walk with all others
In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Jesus Was a Joyful Jew
Jesus followed the law, and was a joyful Jew.
He walked this walk because he knew
That these laws weren't meant for just the chosen few.
He was privy to the knowledge of the ages;
He had probably studied with many great sages,
And of the world's scriptures, he knew all the pages.
He knew that we were meant to live in peace,
Every part of creation, rock, man, and beast
And that the image of The Almighty is clearest in the least.
Every bit of creation holds a bit of The Light.
That fills all the universe with pure delight
Until others convince us that their might makes them right.
Instead of celebrating pure joy, we pursue pleasure and pain;
Fearfully, we wait for The Light to come again.
But our connection to The Almighty already is like the rain.
The Light permeates our souls, our bodies, and our minds.
Those who turn away, choose to be left behind
Because they prefer earthly pleasures to The Joy of The Divine.
The path of The Light is an unbroken loop.
By the blessings of Love we are given the fruit
Of Wisdom which makes names for The Almighty moot.
We are not The Light, but The Light is in us;
The Light does not suffer from jealousy and lust;
We reclaim The Joy as we reclaim our childlike trust.
He walked this walk because he knew
That these laws weren't meant for just the chosen few.
He was privy to the knowledge of the ages;
He had probably studied with many great sages,
And of the world's scriptures, he knew all the pages.
He knew that we were meant to live in peace,
Every part of creation, rock, man, and beast
And that the image of The Almighty is clearest in the least.
Every bit of creation holds a bit of The Light.
That fills all the universe with pure delight
Until others convince us that their might makes them right.
Instead of celebrating pure joy, we pursue pleasure and pain;
Fearfully, we wait for The Light to come again.
But our connection to The Almighty already is like the rain.
The Light permeates our souls, our bodies, and our minds.
Those who turn away, choose to be left behind
Because they prefer earthly pleasures to The Joy of The Divine.
The path of The Light is an unbroken loop.
By the blessings of Love we are given the fruit
Of Wisdom which makes names for The Almighty moot.
We are not The Light, but The Light is in us;
The Light does not suffer from jealousy and lust;
We reclaim The Joy as we reclaim our childlike trust.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Awakening to Awe
I wish that I could understand
Every language of every nation.
Maybe then I would have
The complete story of creation.
We have sought the sacred
Since creation had the gift of thought
We have always been in abject awe
Of all that has been wrought.
We tend to get confused by
Awe, and turn it to fear,
Fracturing the bonds that
We should hold most dear.
Awe opens our hearts and souls;
Fear shuts our spirits down.
Let us reawaken ourselves to
Embracing the profound.
Every language of every nation.
Maybe then I would have
The complete story of creation.
We have sought the sacred
Since creation had the gift of thought
We have always been in abject awe
Of all that has been wrought.
We tend to get confused by
Awe, and turn it to fear,
Fracturing the bonds that
We should hold most dear.
Awe opens our hearts and souls;
Fear shuts our spirits down.
Let us reawaken ourselves to
Embracing the profound.
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