Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts

March 28, 2014

Betrayed and Scourged

"Accept whatever happens to you; in periods of humiliation be patient. For in fire gold is tested' --Sirach 2:4-5

While the modern solution to betrayal might be to get a dog, as some may conclude, in the Christian way one takes time to learn during this most important season of Lent, that by taking a period of 40 days to examine ourselves and to re-examine the Gospel story, the last days of the Christ and his passion is prime.
The Easter season which is the most important event on the Christian calendar is prime for several reasons, and is interestingly determined by the earth herself. Since ancient history astronomers have observed the moon to fix the date for the start of Lent and therefore the advent of Easter which recollects the dying and the rising of the Christ.
So Easter, like Passover is intrinsically tied to the earth and the seasons;  the date for both is fixed on an annual basis by the moon. What could be more organic than that? As the moon rises and falls, the seasons come and go, so too the Easter season. It is an unending story of fail and triumph, despite treachery, despite betrayal.

Easter addresses the metaphysical questions
of life purpose, of renewal, of succeeding despite adversity and withering odds. Saint John 6:51 tells us that if we believe, we will have life everlasting;
the Christ commands that we give up our worldly cares to follow him. Saint Matthew 19:21-30 .
If we meet in the middle, will we trust, trust just enoughsays the song lyrics, Sister Goldenhair, by America. 
With Christ what is there to fear?  Romans 8:31
Who are we as we follow along the path, living in the Spirit?
Lent provides the time to meditate and ponder these among other questions, to answer for our self what it means to be scourged, embarrassed and humiliated, and to rise above to meet the Christ with love and acceptance, the Easter way.

January 2, 2010

Coming to the Simple

We Are One in the Spirit
lyrics by Jason Upton

We are one in the Spirit
We are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit
We are one in the Lord
two of several verses:

We will walk with each other
We will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other
We will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news
That God is in our land

We will work with each other
We will work side by side
We will work with each other
We will work side by side
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity
And save each man’s pride

This song often sung as a chant in meditation is so simple yet powerful as a reminder of the Oneness of life, one in spirit, one in the Lord, walking hand in hand, working side by side, saving, respecting a man's dignity. As a younger person, though, I had not yet learned this chant, nor entered into anything like it; I did come to learn of the Oneness, quite by accident.

While in college there were the required studies that every student selected from to complete their degree, no matter what their major. Many disdained these classes and I wasn't always too enthusiastic either; one semester, I was short a required study area course; already having taken art history, music literature and drama studies. Well now, what was left? There was in the catalog another course previously avoided. It was a five hour class that met every afternoon, five times a week. That meant lots of work; yet without another better alternative, I took it.

It was a survey course in the Humanities. Tons of reading, short writings and study, but quickly I came to love it. And I came to appreciate the interconnections of our lives; that in some way, somehow we are one, even if we don't always consciously recognize or see it in our own daily travels. I was hooked and have remained with a passion for humanities ever since. Humanities I can say is the study of man and his works. It was been a great good in my life to recognize everything as diverse as Chaucer and Hamlet to The Rites of Spring to the Political movements of the 20th century and the history or philosophy of antiquity have meaning and relevance still, if we can see that; I see it as a good and I am well. We cannot forget those who in the next and coming century, those in want or those in loss when we have a clear view from the past to the present. This makes a way for what comes next.