HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES

 

Mariam and others were experiencing great change in their lives.  Nonplussed, she turned to the Rabbi.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "The Spirit is doing something new in your lives; otherwise how do you account for the newness, creativity and freshness that is blowing through your lives? I break you out of your mould; what does not change is dead. Life means change. Dare to take a chance; dare the risk inherent in all new growth."

Many of us become comfortable in old routines, and become mired in emotional ruts. Sometimes, life brings along great change in circumstances such as those inherent in relationships, home, employment or geographical domicile. None of this is easy, and we may find ourselves protesting dramatic change. 

Yet, let us not forget, that it may be the Holy Spirit of God at work in our lives. All life is change. All change may bring growth. As sons and daughters of God, we continue to grow as the Father prepares us to be able to live in the eternal Light of His Purity and Holiness.

Be courageous and embrace change, when you discern that the change comes from God. Gracious acceptance of what we cannot change, may help us reach serenity and inner peace.

SHADOW OF THE CROSS

 

Mariam was experiencing difficulties and turned to the Rabbi.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "Remember that your virtue is tried under the shadow of the cross. How can I be revealed in you without the suffering of the cross?"

Mariam replied, "Lord, that is a hard teaching."

The Rabbi tenderly looked at her, and said: "It is a path that I walked first."

Lord Jesus told us to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-26). There is no easy way to be a disciple of God. Yet, be of good cheer. The way of the cross does not last forever. Do not be afraid to be tested during your discipleship. We can only develop as sons and daughters of God, if we are tested as sons and daughters of God.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Pilgrims ascending to the heavenly city"

INSULT AND TEARS

 

Mariam was verbally insulted and sworn at when she attempted to help another.

Mother Maria told her, "Sometimes silence is the only answer that you can give with dignity."

We cannot fight every argument to which we are invited. Sometimes (only if the circumstances are appropriate), silence is the only answer through which you may be able to maintain your equilibrium. Swift reaction and insult back by yourself, may only escalate the situation.

Great wisdom and prudence is required to discern each happening. Bullying should never be tolerated. Victimisation and harassment are wrong, and also should not be tolerated. These situations need to be dealt with through the appropriate channels.

However, at times in our lives, we experience unexpected harsh words at the hands of those who struggle with issues such as hormonal episodes, dementia, confusion, addiction, difficulties with anger management or side effects from necessary medication. It behoves us to deal with these situations with prudence and calm. A good way to defuse a situation is by using non-violent crisis intervention techniques.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Comfort in a sacred garden"

TREASURE

 

Mariam felt low in spirits and unworthy.

Rabbi Jesus reassured her, "The treasure of your soul is kept in an earthen vessel."

Each person is inexpressibly precious to the Saviour. We are made in the Image and Likeness of God. Do not hesitate to turn to Jesus whenever you have doubts and difficulties; He will comfort and strengthen you.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle

THE RABBI'S EXAMPLE

 

Mariam spoke to the Rabbi about the Example He set before us.

Rabbi Jesus answered, "I revealed myself to my disciples by the revelation of my own living out of the gospel of my life."

Dear reader, read the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They contain all we need to know about how to become a truly holy person.

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HUMBLE RABBI, HEAVENLY KING

 

When the last day is run, and the Emperor of the Universe rides His horse through the heavens, and the angels trumpet, and the apocalyptic horses ride the skies, we will know the Majesty of the All-Knowing, the God, the Messiah.

Yet, this will never be taken away from us. Where now there is a majestic horse, once there was a humble donkey. Probably grazing somewhere on a heavenly pasture as we speak.

Where in the heavenly now there is a King glorious with crown and scepter and sapphire and honour, we had the honour to walk with a humble Rabbi Who sweated, and got tired, and sat and broke bread with us.

Where now there are angels bowing to the glory, and the light swirling around, and ten thousand ten thousand voices singling praise, once we had the joy of listening to a quiet Virgin from Nazareth sing a lullaby to the newly-born One, the culmination of the glorious Promise to our peoples.

Where now there is no sickness, death, sorrows nor tears; once we had the solace of Jesus bending to our sorrowful faces, and comforting us in our difficulties.

Though all will be perfect in Heaven, I have the great joy of knowing; once, I had the inestimable honour to prove to the Lord of Lords that I truly loved Him, by taking up my daily cross, kissing it, and following Him.

Don't wish away your days. Spend them in endless praise.

Humble Rabbi, Heavenly King

When final stars grow pale with light,
And Heaven parts before our sight;
The Emperor of all the skies,
Shall through eternal splendour rise.

Upon His steed in majesty,
He rides through vast infinity;
The angel trumpets loud shall ring,
While all creation hails its King.

The apocalyptic horses flame,
The heavens thunder with His Name;
The earth shall tremble far and wide,
Before the Lamb once crucified.

Then all shall know the Lord Most High,
Whose wisdom none can e’er deny;
The God, Messiah, crowned above,
The endless King of truth and love.

Yet this great glory will not hide,
The humble path He walked beside;
For where the royal horse shall be,
A little donkey carried happily.

Perhaps in Heaven’s meadow fair,
Gentle donkey still wanders there;
The creature lowly, meek, and small,
Who bore the Lord and King of all.

Where now Christ reigns with crown and flame,
And sapphire light adorns His Name;
We once beheld with mortal eye,
A weary Rabbi passing by.

He walked the roads through dust and heat,
With aching brow and sandalled Feet;
He paused beside the weak and poor,
And entered through the humble door.

He broke the bread with kindly Hands,
And spoke of everlasting lands;
The King Whom countless hosts adore,
Once sat beside the sick and poor.

Where now the angels bend the knee,
Before His endless Majesty;
While myriad voices rise above,
Great oceans filled with holy love.

Once in a quiet village mild,
A Virgin rocked the Holy Child;
And softly through the candle glow.
She sang where sleeping lambs lay low.

The Promise spoken long ago,
The Hope whom all the prophets know;
Lay cradled small in manger stall,
The Lord and Maker of us all.

Where now no grief nor tears remain,
No death, no sorrow, fear, or pain;
We once had Christ beside our tears,
To calm our trembling hearts and fears.

He bent toward each burdened face,
With tenderness and healing grace;
He knew the wounds that mortals bear,
And carried all with patient care.

Though Heaven’s joy shall perfect be,
One thought shall still belong to me:
That once upon this earthly sod,
I walked by faith beside my God.

I had the honour, strange and deep,
My daily cross through love to keep;
To lift it up through joy and loss,
And kiss the wood of suffering’s cross.

To prove unto the King above,
The truth and steadfastness of love;
For not by word alone is shown.
The faith by which the saints are known.

So do not cast your days away,
Nor curse the burden of your day;
These fleeting hours are golden praise,
The sacred path of earthly days.

For Heaven’s glory shall not dim,
The humble road that leads to Him;
And endless ages shall not erase,
The beauty of His saving grace.

Spend all your days in thankful praise,
And walk with Christ through all your days;
For once, before the throne above,
We had the chance to suffer love.

Inspired by Matthew 14:4 and Mark 13:26

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Humble Rabbi, Heavenly King"

DEMANDS OF THE GOSPEL

 

Mariam witnessed perennial debate regarding separation of church and state, the philosophical and jurisprudential concept for defining distance in the relationship between religious organizations and the state. 

Mariam told the Rabbi, "An elderly nun-nurse told me many years ago, that it is often said that religion should not meddle with politics. Yet oftentimes, the sister noted, it is politics that crosses over into the realm of morality in religion. Then social justice necessitates that witness must be given by the church, in order to meet the demands of the gospel."

Rabbi Jesus answered Marian, "Nary a truer word has been spoken in non-jest."

Put Up Thy Sword

There is no war that justice can defend,
No blade that heals, no fire that makes amend.
For Christ, upon the cross in sorrow cried,
Yet forgave those who pierced His Hands and Side.

No call He gave to Heaven’s vast array,
Though legions stood, awaiting but His Say.
More than twelve hosts of angels, strong and bright,
Held back their power, restrained by Love, not might.

To Peter then, His voice was clear and sure:
“Put up thy sword; this is not heaven’s cure.”
Not steel nor wrath, nor vengeance stained in red,
But mercy’s path is where His Feet have led.

The Father could have torn the skies apart,
Sent forth His Might with thunder from His Heart.
Yet silence reigned where fury might have dinned,
For Love stood firm where war has always sinned.

What justice lies in limbs by fire undone?
In blinded eyes that never see the sun?
When children fall and innocence is slain,
Can any cause make holy such deep pain?

No! Christ still weeps where bombs and hatred fall,
His gentle voice still pleads above it all.
“This is not justice - hear the wounded cry,
For every soul destroyed, a part of Me must die.”

The law was given: “Thou shalt never kill,”
A sacred truth, unbent by human will.
No throne of state, no banner raised on high
Can cleanse the blood that stains beneath the sky.

Though Augustine sought rules for war’s domain,
Christ’s words still echo, simple, clear, and plain:
Lay down the sword, let violence depart -
For God desires a clean and merciful heart.

For one day we shall stand before His Throne,
With nothing hidden, every deed made known.
Those who fell by unjust hand may rise
As silent witnesses before His Eyes.

Shall blood then drip from hands we cannot hide,
As voices cry from earth where they have died?
Or shall we meet Him bathed in mercy’s light,
With souls made gentle, choosing what is right?

Christ did not conquer through the spear or flame,
But bore our wounds and suffered all our shame.
No violence marked the victory He won
With Love that rose, and cared for everyone.

So let us walk the path our Saviour trod,
With reverent hearts that honour life and God.
No war is just where love is cast aside - 
Put up thy sword, let Christ in us abide.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle