So much


There is a great deal to learn and understand on any one path. I am a Christian, and there is so much to delve into, the insights into what the mystery is all about, and most importantly and perhaps the most difficult, how to simply live them out consistently; which by the way, I don't. Insight and understanding can still be just the beginning of a very long journey into the depths of mystery. In order for this maturing to happen, open-endedness is needed, as well as patience with oneself and others.

I seek to be rooted in Christ, yet I often experience those roots to be shallow indeed, barely staying erect when the storms of life, both outer and inner flare up. Always taking me by surprise, or so it seems. I guess on one level I keep thinking I have arrived. This happens when things are going smoothly, the sea flat and peaceful and I guess I can get a little complacent. Until the storm comes, again, and yes it is like the first time. The same lessons learned over and over again, with the accompanying struggles and yes failures, along with the victories.

In the New Jerusalem the streets are paved with gold, the walls of the city are made of precious stones; a reversal of all that is considered valuable and worth seeking on our earthly journey. For when any one thing becomes common, it is not worth much, sort of like cement or gravel. Important for building, but no one will give much for a sack of gravel or cement, so I guess the same goes for gold and precious stones. In the kingdom they are worth little, or perhaps nothing. Baubles really, like pretty plastic, common and cheap. A true reversal of values on a deeply symbolic level, yet not often taken to heart.

So in the journey down the Christian path, paradox plays a big part, which can be unsettling. For paradox is an experience, not just an intellectual understanding. I suppose when one experience paradox in life, the insight learned has to be lost and experienced again on a deeper level. For once thought to be understood, the ability for the paradox to change is lost. I think these lessons learned, are more often than not, intuitive, and hard to explain. Perhaps that is why it is true for any path, that an outsider's take on it is usually slanted, bogus and wrong. Only a Christian can understand the path, while those on the outside can give valuable feed back, it never gets to the heart of the matter. I assume that is true of any faith or path.

For instance, I am often embarrassed ;( there are of course exceptions), when some Christian writers foolishly take it upon themselves to comment on the different Eastern religions. It is amazing how easy it is to sum up some system of belief in just one or two paragraphs, and then for the author to think he has done justice to a sacred path that has existed longer than the Christian faith, in most cases. As far as world religions go, the Christian faith is young. There is a lot to be leaned from other faiths, different ways of expressing the journey, which can enrich those who take the time to simply read and ponder. Of course many do and find it very helpful. In not only understanding others, but it also expands their own understanding of God's work in the world.

The Christian faith is earthy, the Word, the Logos, that which has always been at work in the world, the universe, became flesh and blood, walked, talked, ate, loved, suffered and yes, died among us. The earth is holy, sacramental, God's immanent presence revealed in Christ Jesus. Also, all those others in our lives, the outsiders, those who smell, the outcast, as well as the rich and wealthy, our loved ones, become Christ for us, for Jesus indentifies with each and everyone. The call, often not understood or even if it is, is not lived out fully, is to love others as we love ourselves, to treat others as we ourselves wish to be treated. Of course Christians, myself being a big one, have failed miserably, though there are some who have succeeded; they are called saints. Those who do not flee from the pain and suffering of others, by hiding behind walls of disdain, hatred, and yes pity, but instead embrace all. This is done by fully allowing their selves to be channels of grace, allowing Christ to become fully incarnate in them, Christ ministering to Christ.

The kingdom of heaven is like yeast, working slowly and silently in the dough, bringing change into the world. The seed has been planted and slowly, too slowly for most of us, it is taking root within the human community. For God is intimately involved in our lives, that is what the incarnation revealed: "God with us", it has always been so. The grace, mercy and love revealed in Christ Jesus, has always been at work in the world, it was just made manifest in Jesus Christ; for Christians that is.

It is the human tendency seen in religion, politics, philosophy, to think that the truth can only be had by one group. In religion, it is believed that a revelation reveals everything, when in fact in only brings to light what has always been at work, yet the mystery ever deepens. For mystery is just that an never ending dive into mystery, understanding more yet never coming to a complete comprehension of the height and depth of God love and work in the world. We can be so busy judging others, something we are told not to do, that the message of love, compassion and empathy can be lost. For to love the Lord with ones whole heart, mind and soul, and to love ones neighbor as oneself sums up the law, anything less is trouble for everyone.

As a Christian, I am called to a deep, loving, trusting relationship with God, revealed as a loving Father. This happens when I begin to understand the infinite love God has for everyone, a pure grace, a gift. The judging, well I will leave that up to infinite love, not some puny human understanding of what justice means. Jesus used human terms to explain the unexplainable, to name the unnamable and the concept of a loving Father seems to be the best that he could use.