Come and See!

The Word…

“The angel brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold…emptying into the salt waters….
Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live…Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow…Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine”

(Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12).

“You are God's building… Do you not know that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
(! Cor 3:9-11, 16-17).

"Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace”

(Jn 2:13-22).

Pondering the Word …

      Settle in, sit quietly, and notice the rhythm of your breath. Breathe normally for a short while.

      Ask the Holy Spirit of Wisdom who dwells within you to make her presence known to you.

      Reflect on the image that you are God’s building, God’s temple, a sacred space.

      Now, imagine that space: Are there “merchants” and “money changers” that crowd out the true purpose of your God-space, that distract you? (These may be things, not necessarily bad, that provide “a service” of some sort, to make your life easier or help you fulfill obligations: money, prestige, your “to-do” list. There could be a false god…pride, power, or greed as well. But don’t judge. Just be aware of them.)

      Think now about the world that surrounds your sacred space. A lot of it is beautiful and life-giving, but you know there are “salt waters” close by. Places that can’t support life. (Maybe these are actual places of poverty and despair, prejudice, or bigotry; or perhaps illness, grief, or depression. What places do you see that need an infusion of freshness?)

      Now ask Jesus to enter your sacred space—not with whips, please—but as fresh, flowing water, its source, the holy mountain of God. Let that water wash over you, cleanse you, rinse away the things that crowd out the Spirit. Feel love and life multiplying within you. Use all your senses to feel, taste, see, hear, and smell. Sit with this image for a while.

Finally, imagine your life blooming with nourishing “foods” and healing “medicines:” compassion, mercy, a listening ear, a strong shoulder, a warm embrace, charity for those in need. Imagine the “leaves” of your life never fading, and that you “leave” behind in your wake the living water of love. Rest for a bit and give thanks to the Spirit for this peace-filled time. Amen.

Living the Word…

How did this experience feel to you? Do you see yourself as a temple of the Holy Spirit? What, if anything, gets in the way? Did you find you immediately judged yourself when confronted with the “merchants?” Most of these are not “sins,” only distractions, so don’t be hard on yourself. Were you able to feel the waters cleansing you? Could you imagine yourself blooming with life-giving fruit?

Mon, Nov 10: “Love justice, you who judge the earth… Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not, nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin. For the holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit and withdraws from senseless counsels”
(Wis 1:1-7). We must have a serious conversation with Lady Wisdom! We need her, not to flee those who are deceitful and unjust; not to avoid those who plot evil and sin and follow senseless counsels. That is EXACTLY where we need her to be! Oh yeah, and that’d be with all of us at times, too! Provision: Pray for the Spirit of Wisdom. For all leaders and those who judge the earth: that those who are deceitful, who plot to incite the masses to violence so they can impose a police state—don’t be blind; that is what is happening in the US right now—we pray the Spirit of Goodness and Wisdom will fill their hearts and minds with compassion and mercy and common sense. And we pray for ourselves, that Lady Wisdom will guide us to be honest, just, and courageous, following the nonviolent counsel and example Jesus has set for us.

Tue, Nov 11: “’We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do'" (Lk 17:7-10). The Greek is “worthless slaves.” The Aramaic is “useless servants.” So much for building up our self-esteem, Jesus! Then I remember: this is exactly how he viewed himself! But let’s talk about what we are “obliged” to do. Provision: What are you “obliged” to do? Most religions have a sort of checklist of things you are obliged to believe and do if you are a member of that religion or denomination. My approach is pretty basic: I am to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind; I am to love my neighbor (AKA everyone) that same way; and I am to love myself, “the image of God’s own nature that God made to be imperishable.” (Wis 2:23-3:9). It makes things so much easier!

Wed, Nov 12: “Though you were ministers of God’s kingdom, you judged not rightly, and did not keep the law, nor walk according to the will of God. Terribly and swiftly shall God come against you because judgment is stern for the exalted” (Wis 6:1-11). Another entry from the “Broken Record” department… It’s too bad the Book of Wisdom is not included in the Masoretic text or in the main text of the KJV. Otherwise, I’d suggest a postcard campaign with this verse to flood the halls of the US Congress and the White House! I think some of our leaders fancy themselves to be ministers of God’s Kingdom, but really, the kingdom they serve is the United States, or more likely, themselves. Provision: What is your opinion? Pray about this. What does your conscience tell you? What does Jesus say? This is an essential first step to deciding how you will respond to the current chaos.

Thu, Nov 13: “For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion” (Wis 7:22-8:1). “The Kingdom of God is within you” (Lk 17:20-25, literal Greek). Oh, I just love the mystical stuff! There is so much beautiful mysticism we’ve lost over the centuries due to Western culture’s need to have answers to unanswerable questions! These kinds of verses are similar to “kōans” in Zen Buddhism, a paradox or riddle that inspires deeper thought and meditation. Jesus uses them all the time: “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it” (from tomorrow’s gospel). “The last shall be first.” In fact, most of his parables turn things upside down and inspire us to think differently. Provision: Look for the kingdom within and among you. “The Spirit moves where she will. You know not where she comes from or where she is going” (Jn 3:8, adapted). Be awake and aware.

Fri, Nov 14: “All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is, and from studying the works did not discern the Artisan” (Wis 13:1-9). This verse reminds me of another Zen teaching from Thich Nhat Hanh: “A finger pointing at the moon is not the moon. … if you mistake the finger for the moon itself, you will never know the real moon.” He means don’t confuse a teacher with the actual teaching, which, these days, we are wise to heed as well!! Wisdom tells us as we marvel at the radiance of the sun, the splendor of the stars and the moon, the beauty of nature, never lose sight of the Creator who has given us such a wondrous world! Provision: Thank God for the good things you see today!

Sat, Nov 15: Jesus told his disciples about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary...” Will not God secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?” (Lk 18:1-8). We are to pray day and night?! How does one do this and get anything else done? The only way is if we live our lives as prayer, keeping God front and center in all we do. But how do we pray “without becoming weary?” Jesus is telling us not to lose hope. Provision: Hold onto hope. If we truly pray in faith, we will pray beyond our intentions and be open to God’s will. Søren Kierkegaard said that prayer does not change God, but the one who prays. Through persistence in prayer, we will eventually come to understand God’s answers.