Queenly Obedience

And who knows whether you have not come into the kingdom for such a time as this. Esther 4:14b

On the surface, the book of Esther tells a romantic Cinderella story of a girl who becomes the queen who saves her people at great risk to herself. It's worth a read, even if it does portray blatant sexism, greed, intrigue, and violence. She knows she could die without an invitation to approach the king . (They didn't have too much trouble limiting lobbyists in those days.) This verse selected from the story, illustrates for any age that each day holds the possibility for greatness. Esther thinks of all the reasons she shouldn't trouble the king, her husband, with any request, let alone one that endangers her life. At far less risk, we too may think of why we can't do a deed that might require something of ourselves beyond our comfort zone. We won't know the outcome until it's over, and it may be really trivial, but when we're summoned to help or intervene or give of ourselves in some way, at such a time, we respond because that is the way of Love. The blessing that follows usually comes as a complete surprise. 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

Perfect Harmony

Above all ... put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts... Colossians 3:14-15a

St. Hildegard of Bingen (12th century Germany) was a nun of the Celtic Tradition whom one biographer called the Dear Abby of her day. She is credited with Popes and Princes among her disciples, and is still appreciated for her literature, art, and music. She brought events and people together in peaceful harmony and serves as an enduring example for a believer's mission throughout life. Love lights up the dark matter that connects us to nature and to one another. It is up to each one of us to live peacefully with our ever widening circles of relationships. We simply can not do it without submitting to the rule of Christ which is to be of service toward one another. Shalom, Mother BE

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

Brand Name

My sheep hear my voice, and I hear them, and they follow me. John 10:27

This verse is part of a rather long discourse that uses the common metaphor of the shepherd in relation to his flock. The first person, above speaking, is Y'shua of Nazareth. The setting is Jerusalem even though the metaphor is pastoral. The time is winter and the feast of Hanuka or Dedication of the Temple remembrance and celebration. We can take the literary device of metaphor to ridiculous extremes or we can understand the quick picture it affords us as we look for the deeper significance. Granted, St. Joan d'Arc said she heard sacred audible voices leading her to protect her French Prince against the English invaders, resulting in her death and canonization. But for ordianary believers in the mystery of Incarnation, hearing the voice of our Shepherd is a heart-felt knowing His presence in our everyday experiences. How do we hear His voice? We ask Him to be our Shepherd, and He brands us as His own. Then we sit back and enjoy his presence. Shalom, Mother BE

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Photo by Ken Brin

I AM

Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he.
John 8:28 NRSV

 Y'shua's words, according to the author of the Gospel of John, were part of his journey toward the cross. In reflection, the author referred to an Ancient Near Eastern tradition: Ben Adam (adam means "humanity;" ben indicates a "specific person") was a loaded idiom for, variously, a king, judge, suffering servant, anointed one -- Messiah in Hebrew, Christos in Greek. So the author used that phrase to suggest that Y'shua knew he would suffer a horrible death and be raised in resurrection. The author continues with Y'shua saying that one day you (who  persecute me) will realize that "I Am." (NRSV adds "he" which dilutes the concept that Y'shua is "I Am" -- Yahweh -- Divine.) Y'shua tried to break through the listeners' thick-headed minds caught  in the struggles of living from day to day. "To lift up" was an idiom to raise the eyes into the spirit, such as when Abraham "lifted up his eyes" to see the promise. The people needed to "lift up" this human, that is, see him in the spirit. They needed only to understand that the wonderful signs he did were being done by the Holy One, who was standing there talking to them. The New Testament clearly identifies the only "Son of Man" as Y'shua of Nazareth. Unless a person wrestles in the spirit with the Divine Human, he or she will not realize (see) the Glorious Holy One. 
Shalom, Mother BE

A list of my books and articles is at www.woodlily.org.  Order from Amazon.com/Kindle Thanks.

Photo by Ron Burkett