SPIRITUAL MASTER

Mariam spoke with a spiritual master from another religious faith.
Mariam told the Rabbi, "He spoke of pure living, love and kindness; of God, and of prayer."
Rabbi Jesus answered warmly, "He spoke with my words."

There are many roads to God. 
Respect of others helps the true disciple to share spiritual riches with those of differing spiritual cultures.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR A PEACEFUL LIFE

Mariam witnessed the suffering of another as a result of impulsive and unwise decision.
The Rabbi said sadly, "A few moments of pleasure; a lifetime of pain."

Adhering to the commandments during extreme temptation will save much heartache.
Rather than a list of don'ts, the ten commandments are a list of do's which give the template for a peaceful and happy life.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Exodus 20 2-17	Deuteronomy 5:6-21	A Traditional Catechetical Formula
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.	I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.	1. I am the LORD your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me.
You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.	You shall have no other gods before me . . .
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.	You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain . . .	2. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.	Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy . . .	3. Remember to keep holy the LORD'S Day.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.	Honor your father and your mother . . .	4. Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not kill.	You shall not kill.	5. You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.	Neither shall you commit adultery.	6. You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.	Neither shall you steal.	7. You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.	Neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbor.	8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor's. With thanks to Catechism of the Catholic Church; Part Three; Life in Christ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/command.htm	Neither shall you covet your neighbor's wife . . .You shall not desire . . . anything that is your neighbor's.	9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

GUIDANCE IN CHAOS

It appeared as if chaos reigned in society. 
Mariam felt panicked, and reached out to the Rabbi for guidance.
She told the Rabbi, "All around me the fabric of our society as I know it is crumbling."
The Rabbi answered her, "But you stay upright."

In times of difficulty we need to cling to God, and He will help us in our time of trial.
God is our Rock to Whom we can cling when our strength feels weak; He is the stronghold in our times of doubt; He is our Refuge when troubles come our way. 

Psalm 18;2
"The LORD is my Rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my stronghold in Whom I take refuge, my Shield, the Glory of my salvation, and my High Tower.

UPLIFTED

Mariam felt lifted from herself during prayer. 
She returned from immersing herself in prayer to God, refreshed and renewed.
She asked the Rabbi what had happened during this time.
The Rabbi answered, "You reached out and touched the heart of God."

ETERNAL AGELESSNESS

Mariam was thirty three. She felt old.
The Rabbi told her, "Do you have any idea what a spark you are beside the fire of my age?"

The Son was there when the foundations of the earth were laid.
Age is a passing concept. The seasons of the body from the spring of our infancy to the autumn of our age bring about their changes within us.
Our spirit - as we follow in the footsteps of the Son of God - is ageless and eternal, lasting forever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XBFxf2maFI

With thanks to Youtube

PRAYER

Mariam spent time in prayer with someone from another form of religious faith.
The Rabbi was pleased. "The truly religious do not argue about religion."

THE RABBI'S TEACHING

The Rabbi encouraged Mariam to remind an acquaintance about His teachings regarding forgiveness and empathy.
Mariam asked the Rabbi, "Why do you send me there, Lord? I really didn't want to get involved."
The Rabbi told her, "He needs to be reminded about my words. It's all very well to talk Jesus; it's another thing to live Jesus."