Jesus' Life of Love

This is the holiest season in Christianity, and one of the holiest in Judaism, when both faiths are celebrating deliverance from evil earthly forces. As a Roman Catholic child this was the season in which I was taught all about the passion of Jesus. Unfortunately, I was taught more about the big drama of his scourging and crucifixion than I was taught about his passion for his people while walked the earth in the flesh.

I think we miss the point; the true sacrifice isn't the death, it's the heroism that leads to that death that is the greatest sacrifice. Many people are willing to put themselves in harm's way for those they love. Look at the sacrifices truly loving parents, caregivers, teachers, health care professionals, and members of the armed forces make in the line of duty. But to live a full life out among all the sin without once falling? How many of our lives would withstand the scrutiny that Jesus' life continues to command? The most remarkable thing about Jesus, in my opinion, was his example of a loving, sinless life on the same planet that I inhabit.

I believe that Jesus wanted us to realize that we are all God's children; that salvation is a choice, not a birthright. Why else would any of us have been born? I believe that his passion for all people led him to condense the many rules in the Torah and Old Testament down to two -- love God and love God's children. I believe that he came to show us, by his example, the way to peace with Our Creator and of harmonious relationships with our fellow humans. That example, by design, coincides with the way of Abraham and Moses. I believe the Holy Spirit he left with us is the "God" spark in each of us and in all creation.

I believe that we humans were still needing outward signs of human sacrifice to God, so Jesus was willing to be our scapegoat. I believe that what Jesus really wants us to take away from his life and death is the joy that comes with sharing our loving lives with others, The Spirit of Loving Unity.This Easter, I think I'll observe the stations of all my spiritual ancestors' lives.

Herds and Humans

Our animal instincts are much too strong
For us to ignore our need for spiritual
Support groups for very long.

This is what I think churches are meant to be.
But aren't they often simply
Strengthening the herd mentality?

Instead of projecting acceptance out to others
They close their rule-bound ranks
Around their sisters and brothers.

Is this because they are afraid of being infected
By the ways of outside others
That their group has rejected?

It seems that mission work is so much more effective
Than all the Sunday sermons
And the judgmental invective.

When you feed a hungry person or hold a fearful hand
This imparts the love
That makes an animal human.

Preparing For Purity

Look very closely at the light, and it will begin to draw you in.
When we are seeking a way out of darkness, this is how to begin.
Even a tiny pinpoint of light, seen in the eyes of a child,
Can be enough to give us hope for just a little while.
The uncorrupted child's soul is a pure pearl of light,
The earthly evidence of what, in creation, is right.
But we must prepare ourselves to protect their purity,
So that we too may experience the inner light they see.

But we don't prepare our people to be present in these moments;
We bring babies into isolation, without the tribes to which they're sent.
We live from task to task, exhausting our emotional resources,
Leaving our children's souls to all manner of evil forces.
At least, we now have daddies who hold their babies most dear,
Making their claims on their babies' hearts and minds clear.
But where are the councils of elders with time on their hands,
Helping to pass on the values that true humanity demands?

Synchronizing Our Spirits

I've read for many years about rites and rituals of religions that are supposed to take us closer to God. It seems that most of these were developed by people seeking to get away from their everyday lives on earth. While this may work for some, for short periods of time, I don't think it's the best way to long-lasting lightening of the load of life. When we wake up, there are still dirty dishes to be done, but the egg is stuck more firmly to the plate.

Many societies and religions solve this problem by creating the illusion that there are some who are simply meant to be closer to God and bring their visions down to those who do the dirty work. Those not gifted with enough inner light are encouraged to use all manner of psychoactive substance to "reach a higher plane", or to lose themselves in rituals that deaden the awareness of what's going on around them. While this may be great as a break from mundane matters, it isn't meant to be a lifestyle. And it sure isn't conducive to the training of children "in the way they should go."

One of the most beautiful rituals I've ever witnessed is the putting of a fussy baby to sleep. When done with love, it is pure spirituality in action. The serenity of the adult is imparted to the baby to the point where the baby feels so safe that his or her breathing synchronizes with the soother. It is like that with loving arms; they impart some of oneself to the other. With all the fear in the world, maybe it's time we reinstate rituals of spending snuggle time together. Believe in the bumper sticker, "Hugs, not drugs."

Matriarchy and Motherhood

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.

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.

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.