Rock Solid

That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. Luke 6:48

The Rocky Mountains are full of rocks, and most of us have to dig them up in order to put down a foundation. On the other hand we have a nearby example of an old chapel literally built upon a huge boulder surrounded by marshy terrain. Even the highway department went around it rather than remove it. It'll be there for a long time. The point of the pericope above illustrates the value of a person who has a solid foundation for his or her life of faith, which manifests in good works for the community. When faith comes from the heart which focuses on the Other rather than the Self, the inevitable floods of disappointment or sorrow cannot prevail. Faith based upon early parental guidance or solid conversion forms a foundation for unwavering convictions regarding shifting cultural mores. Without it, the vicissitudes of society deplete our resources of integrity. Keep the Faith. Shalom, Mother BE

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

Fear Not

Learn not the ways of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens. The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens. Jeremiah 10:2&11.

The planets circle in their orbits, and once in a while a few of them line up with Earth. That phenomenon occurs later this year when the ancient Mayan calendar runs down, and there are all kinds of fearful predictions joined with global warming and irrational announcements by certain national rulers and fanatical biblicists alike. Do Not Be Afraid: may phobos, in Greek, from whence English derives phobia. Jeremiah is not the only prophet who calls us to faith, not fear. We can stand with him to affirm that Yahweh is creator (verse 1) and has our best interests in hand. We can also stand with historic persons such as St. Remigius of Rheims (Fifth century France) who upheld the Trinity which means that Y'shua of Nazareth is One with Yahweh and the Holy Spirit, together the One creator and sole ruler of the universe. Remigius was up against those who argued against the divinity of Y'shua, an opinion expressed by many people today. The ways and gods of the nations still demand allegiance, but the one who knows us best, our triune Creator, blooms among the weeds of sophistry for our well-being. Fear Not. 

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 

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

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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

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

Happy Prosperity

Happy are those who delight in the Lord, and meditate day and night. 
They are like trees planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season.
In all that they do, they prosper.
Psalm 1:1-3 excerpts

I think of this first Psalm whenever I come upon a stream bordered by bushes and trees, especially those that yield blooms, berries, fruit, or pine cones. Any walk that features plant life can stimulate meditation, probably because natural surroundings remind me of the Creator who loves me, and I delight in knowing that. Here in the mountains where I live, it's easy to overlook the streams and lakes and snowdrifts, and the clouds that feed them. But in meditating upon the whole, and the Source of the beauty around me, I find that the Master of it all walks with me. Then when the desert times arrive, I can look for the flowers that flourish in the dry shadows. Those are the seasons of secret prosperity. Shalom, Mother BE  

See a list of my books and articles at www.woodlily.org and order at Amazon.com/Kindle. Thanks!
Art by David E. Iles, South of Fairplay, CO,  photo by Ken Brin