Angelic Longing

It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. First Peter 1:12 RSV

Things! At what "things" do the angels long to look? The larger context tells us that "them" refers to the prophets who told about the coming of a Messiah who would bridge the gap between divinity and humanity. That was the fourth level of a line of communication. Then there are the "things... announced to you" by the third level - those who preached the good news (gospel in old English), through the second level - Holy Spirit, sent from the first level, heaven itself. No wonder the angels might not be able to look into those "things." Sometimes it is truly difficult to read scriptures written thousands of years ago and translated through several languages. We have plenty of material to wade through just getting on with the day at hand. What is so special that divine messengers long to see it, but that has come to us straight from heaven via the prophets, the preachers, and the Holy Spirit? The answer to that question has alluded the sages since time began: that "thing" we call Free Will. Angels are not human. Only humans have the ability to choose to follow Messiah, Y'shua, across the gulf between spirit and flesh. The angels chose to remain in heaven, to be governed by Love, and they watch to see how we will use our Free Will to encounter ordinary "things" in our daily lives.
Shalom, Mother BE 

Early Morning

And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. Mark 16:2&3.

The early spring flowers are beginning to peek out in the high country, while lower elevations already enjoy lush spring colors. The blooms call to mind the new life we have in Christ, just as the colorful egg hunts of children remind us that the eggs are shaped like the stone at the door of the tomb of Y'shua of Nazareth. But that stone was huge. Archeologists have found grave stones so large that it takes fifteen to twenty hefty men to move them. The Sunday morning on which the world turns dawned sadly for those three women who approached the tomb of their beloved one. They had forgotten to plan ahead -- a common trait of the grief process -- and now they had a problem. How would they move the stone? Sometimes the stones in our lives seem insurmountable. Anything that blocks us from the presence of Y'shua is a huge obstacle to our peace. But if we look up into the face-spirit-mind of our Creator, the block crumbles or rolls on down the hill out of existence. As the ice and snow melt into refreshing rivers, and the crocus and tulips brighten our paths, may the Alleluia season bloom for you with new insights of love and grace. Shalom, Mother BE



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Holy Week

To the Leader: A lament of David when Nathan the prophet went to him after his affair with Bathsheba. Be gracious to me, Elohim, according to your merciful kindness let your great and tender compassion remove my defiance. Thoroughly wash away my guilt, and from iniquity cleanse me. For I know my transgressions; and my rebellion is ever before me. Psalm 51:1-3 Translation: BE

The word “sin,” usually used at the end of verse 3, has pretty well lost its relevance in the twenty-first century, but this pericope expresses the brutal honesty a person encounters when faced with the accusation of a standard. The Psalmist confesses his failure and pleas for mercy and the grace of reconciliation. We enter into the final days of Lent aware of our own estrangement from our Creator. We long for a union which will assuage our torn loyalties. The romance we found waving palm branches of self-absorption, self-conceit, self-righteousness, and self-delusion leads only to destruction. Holy Week celebrates the revelation of the truth that cleanses away our selfishness: Y’shua of Nazareth, the Incarnation - embodiment of Elohim, walked the sorrowful way through our own dissatisfaction to greet us at the other end of our trials. May this week be a time to consider how very brave Y'shua was to embrace our crosses. Shalom, Mother BE




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Power Circle

You are like a circle of stones, like a strong wall of granite. Lead me and guide me as your Name accords. Psalm 31:3 

The "You" at the beginning of the verse refers to the Holy One of Israel. The "circle of stones" is usually translated "rock (cela) and fortress (matsuwd)." Some pre-historic and pre-Hebraic Ancient Near Eastern people (as well as those in other places) arranged rocks in a circle to connect with the "other world," a place of power from the perspective of ancient superstitious people. Later in human development, these circles grew up into rock walls for the purpose of defense. Arranged in cairns or placed upon strategic heights, they became landmarks or watch towers. To be in "accord" means to agree. Here, it means to be in agreement with the One whose Name signifies existence, Yahweh. A paraphrase of the verse in modern thought could be: I agree to the guidance and leadership of the One Who Exists, who is a strong dependable upright partner for determining the direction that is best for me. May your own deliberations be filled with the assurance of Divine Presence. Shalom, Mother BE  

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Are You Happy?

Happy are we who shout for joy, who walk in the light of the countenance of Yahweh. Psalm 89:15

The fourth week of Lent feels a bit like Ground Hog Day -- will winter ever end? Will Lent finally reach the season of Alleluia? Lots of folks from the northern climes escape the last dregs of ice and snow to take a Spring Break south of the frost belt. I'm reminded of lyrics of a song from the musical, Oklahoma: "March came in like a lion, a whippin' up the water in the bay." Here in the high country we sing something like, "The winds march down from the Continental Divide whistling around every corner." Sometimes the winds in our psychic selves manifest in our bodies with illness. When the weather reflects our internal struggles or lethargy, we need help to get out of the doldrums! Now comes the time to turn to Psalm 89. A litany of praise for the creativity of the Holy One, the Psalm drags us from our self-centered pity parties to remind us of the glory all around us - regardless of the season, our state of mind, or our physical condition. Ah, but some of us live every day in a paradise, where the weather is wonderful all the time; and the countenance of Yahweh appears before us with the light of every sunrise. Then the Psalm reflects our happiness and contentment, indeed, our joy. If you're happy, clap you hands! Have a good week. Shalom, Mother BE  


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The Teacher

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are Elohim,  my comfort. Psalm 25:5

The Hebrew language has three primary names for the Holy One: Yahweh, Adonai, and Elohim. The latter is the earliest one and the name the scribes used for the Creator. Here the psalmist recognizes the teacher of truth as Elohim, who also brings comfort and health - the meaning of yesha which usually translates into English as "salvation." The context for the above verse is a prayer of King David for protection from his enemies, and a plea for preservation. Who better to ask for help than the Creator? Our enemies might be in the form of physical, mental, or spiritual threat. These different realms were created by Elohim for our well-being, and we can rest assured that all true things bring joy to our Creator, and ourselves. Falsehoods, enemies, erupt into the stresses that consume our energy. Sometimes, we need a reminder to remember that our Teacher's compassion does not remember our failings. Another note about Psalm 25: it's an acrostic lesson wherein the first word of each verse follows alphabetical order as a method for memorizing the text. Some versions of the Bible use marginal notations to indicate the Hebrew letters. For example the first word, after the salutation ("of David"), begins with aleph. The first letter of verse 5 is he, the fifth letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and so on. 
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May you be blessed through the week! Mother BE

Vanquish Fear

When I am afraid, I will trust in you, Elohim. Psalm 56:3


The middle Psalms, called Laments, help to carry us through awful seasons of doubt,  apropos for the Lenten Season. This Psalm, regarding King David's capture by the Philistines, speaks to the need for trust in the midst of one's interior terror or actual threat by an enemy. It's OK to have a pity party now and then if it serves to remind us to seek Divine Presence. Elohim (translated as God) will wipe away our tears, and record whatever slander may assault us, in order for us to be embraced in Eternal Love, with the onslaught concealed by light. Occasionally appearing along mountain trails, the pink and white blooms of little Kitten Paws express the wonder of the Creator's care in the midst of opposition: wild weather, scorching solar glare, or extreme cold. Shalom ...Mother BE