Humility

Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.   Luke 18:17 
With all our education and sophistication, we have no guarantees about our present or final conditions. We are simply who we are, along with everyone else. We humbly accept our lot and get on with life. Humility means that we stash our expectations and receive the love of others. Whether we know or do not know anything about life after this one, we rest in the grace that love endures forever. 
This is the last week of the liturgical year. Next week we begin the season of Advent in preparation for the Nativity celebrations -- the holidaze! This is therefore my closing blog post, at least for this calendar year. May the Holy One bless you with joy, and love. Shalom, Mother BE

See a list of my books and articles at www.woodlily.org and order at Amazon/Kindle. Thank you.
Photo by Ken Brin

Faith Works

Someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.  James 2:18

Back in the days of the Reformation, Martin Luther left the book of James out of his translation of the Bible. Why? Because it seemed to him that there was entirely too much emphasis on works to the detriment of faith. The argument has been going on for centuries with results that either polarize people when they have expectations, or renders them apostate because of the ridiculous nature of the discussion. The writer of the James community tells us that one without the other is simply moot, nothing. Furthermore, it is not our business to judge anyone's faith, works, or lack of either. Let us love one another! Shalom, Mother BE

See a list of my books and articles at www.woodlily.org and order at Amazon/Kindle. Thanks.
Photo by Ken Brin (from my window sill)

Restoration

Restore us, Elohim; let your face shine, that we may be free. Psalm 80:3    BE

Within the lectionary readings for today, this litany of hope lies hidden among gloom and doom. The word I've translated as "free" is yashaw. It shares a root with the name Y'shua (Jesus), and from it we have the words "save,"  "deliver," and "liberty" in translations. The Holy One is forever present, with us, in times of stress or disappointment. Those of us who are members of affluent societies,  would be wise to remember that our relationship to one another is of sacrificial love; that is, we seek the well-being of others. We put the desires of others above our own. Restoration begins with respecting the people with whom we live, and it moves out in circles of influence. So we live alone? Are we then exempt from love? It may seem like we have no one, but even the hermit has neighbors, if not people, then plants and animals. Shalom, Mother BE

Other readings for today:Joel 1:1-13; Rev. 18:15-24; Luke 14:12-24
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Photo by Ken Brin

Baptism of Fire

I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!  Luke 12:49-50

These words of Y'shua seem quite contrary to the message of love with which most of us are familiar. The context is even more perplexing, as it appears to put family members and nations against one another. Haven't we had enough of division and strife? Wasn't there already enough two thousand years ago? And why would He be stressed out waiting for the kindling to catch? Those of us who have recently been through forest fires or perfect storm hurricanes don't want to acknowledge anything good coming from them. So what in the world is He saying here via Luke the Greek physician?
One simple truth! Life rises out of death! The forests will recover, the tide will clear the beaches, and relationships will heal in the Resurrection if not before. It's all worth the hope energized by the devastation. Shalom, Mother BE

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Photo by Ken Brin
 

Grow Up!

We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. Ephesians 4:14-16

There are two kinds of law, high and low. One sets a high standard, sometimes called Roman Law, that no one is expected to reach, so allowances are made according to how major or minor various infractions occur. An example would be a speed limit. It's against the law to go over a certain mile an hour, but when you do, the fine will correspond to the degree of violation. On the other hand, the low standard, or common law, sets up a mode of acceptable operation to which everyone is expected to adhere. Failure to comply carries penalties according to the severity of the infraction. An example is the Magna Carta, the guarantor of basic rights, and the basis for most legal systems in the world today. Unfortunately, legislation is vulnerable to political trickery, craftiness, scheming, and in some cases, religion. The Big Ten from the Bible (Exodus 20) is neither, as it exemplifies what it means to be human in relationship to our Creator. When we fail to be human, we also jeopardize our relationships to one another. Let us grow into the Love of Christ, which is respectful, decent, and sacrificial. Shalom, Mother BE

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Photo by Ken Brin

What Is Your Address?

A Psalm of David.
O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?       Psalm 15:1

The Psalm goes on to answer that question: the upright, the blameless, the trustworthy. It pretty well leaves out everyone who ever fibbed, envied, or fell short of any standard of behavior, which, of course, excludes most of us, though we try to do what is right.That is where the gospel, good news, comes to our rescue. Y'shua of Nazareth for all time took on our failures, and with his life covered our short-comings. Like him and with him, we enter into the holy places where estrangement dissipates. We do not need to doubt our capacity to live at Love's address. Love loves us already and wants to abide with us. Shalom, Mother BE

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Rise Above It All

As for me, I will look to Yahweh, I will wait for Elohim, my salvation, who hears me. 
Micah 7:7 ...BE

The first six verses of this chapter pretty well reflect our current political scene. It begins with "Woe is me.." then goes on to complain about the bickering among leaders and perversion of public service. The prophet advises caution about speech and enemies within one's closest circles. Do we never hear good news? Has nothing changed since Y'shua of Nazareth walked upon the Earth and suggested, with his life, that we love one another? Love is patient and kind. It doesn't throw mud or look for iniquity under every pebble. I can almost see Micah heading to the poles, waiting for that still voice within him to guide his vote. Not only does the Holy One hear our questions, but we can trust in the salvation of divine answers. Shalom, Mother BE

See a list of my books and articles at www.woodlily.org and order at Amazon.com/Kindle. Thanks.
Photo by Ken Brin