DEPERSONALIZATION

Mariam was concerned at societal progression which appeared to her to be a process leading somewhat to depersonalization.
The Rabbi told her, 'You can heap scorn on someone;
You can't make them a scornful object.'

TRUE FREEDOM

Mariam asked the Rabbi about the nature of freedom.
The Rabbi answered her, 'You cannot enslave the truly free.'

Inner freedom of heart and soul can never be taken from us, despite our external circumstances.
The freedom within has been given to us by God.

HEALING

Mariam spoke to the Rabbi about her calling as a healer.
The Rabbi told her,
'Help to heal people's lives, not just their wounds.'

Every time we intervene in the difficulties and alleviate pain of any nature in another, we bless their lives in their families and communities towards greater wholeness and healing.

IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER

Mariam and the Rabbi were at a meal together. 

Mariam had been wondering, and asked:

"Why is it important to pray through issues, Lord?'

The Rabbi answered her, "To help you cope with the uncopable, and explain the unexplainable."

STRENGTH

Mariam was daunted as she faced a life decision. Should she take the easy way which would win her praise from her peers, or take the hard decision which - though true to her inner moral compass - would win her derision and harsh words?
The Rabbi told her, 
"The full living of life is not for the fainthearted. Be strong.'

OLD AGE

Mariam was chatting to the Rabbi about old age.

She said, 'Every year my perception of what is old 

moves on a year.'

TRUTH

Someone told Mariam, "I don't believe you."
The Rabbi told Mariam, "The truth is the truth.
It is a neutral deposit of factual matter.
Whether it is believed or not neither adds nor detracts from it.
It simply is."

It is often difficult to judge what is the truth and what is not. In a world where everything is not always as it seems, and fear and passions sometimes affect words and actions, it is possible to doubt.
And sometimes, for good reason.
However, truth will always triumph eventually.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
If we follow Him, we have the happiness of knowing that in His Kingdom, all will be known - and truth will be the order of the Kingdom.

With thanks to Youtube

John 14:6

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

THE LOVING HEART

Mariam loved all whom she met. Following the Rabbi as His disciple had changed her - she met all with delight and joy, finding in them brothers and sisters of the universal family.
Rabbi Jesus told her, "Love is no respecter of boundaries."

IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Mariam was inclined to be a champion grudge holder. She could forgive, but found it hard to forget another's perceived slight.
The Rabbi gently explained to her a helpful rule, "Remember those who have been good to you, and sift the others away through the fingers of kindness."

Forgiveness means being willing to forgive others, as they sometimes have to forgive us.
Not every slight or hurt we deliver was intentionally meant.
By letting bygones be bygones, relationships can flourish and not eternally founder.
We need to rejoice in the memories given us by those who have left us feeling nurtured and cherished, and to sift away the bad memories given to us by those who did not - through the fingers of kindness, the process of forgiveness.

Jesus has taught us that we are to forgive, over and over again.
This means that justice will not always be served to us by others, yet we must forgive them - and pray for them.
It is only by forgiving - as fully as our Master forgave even those who had crucified Him as He was dying on the cross - that we can fulfil the mandate placed upon us as disciples of the Most High.

Forgive Seventy Times Seven

With thanks to Youtube

Matthew 18:21-22

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

TRUE LOVE

Mariam asked the Rabbi, "What is true love?"
Rabbi Jesus answered, "It is allowing the other person to be."

True love does not seek to control, change or denigrate the beloved.
True love allows the other the emotional space to be their spontaneous selves, and thus to grow.
True love implies total respect, each for the other.

HELP AND EVERLASTING SALVATION

Mariam had helped someone. 
She wished to offer further assistance, but was financially unable to do so.
The Rabbi told her, "You can heal some of the world's ills; but not all."

The full healing of the woes of the world fall to the Saviour alone. With the sacrifice of His Life He has fully atoned for each of our sins.

Yet to each of us falls the privilege of being in a position to assist others.
Let us do what we can. 
We are told by the Saviour that this is the way He wishes us to live our lives.
At our Final Judgement the good we have done when we had the chance to do so will be taken into account.
A truly frightening warning has been given not to disregard our human duty of care towards others.

Matthew 25:31-46

The Final Judgment

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

With thanks to Youtube

SADNESS

Mariam felt sad.
The Rabbi told her, "Is this not the vale of tears?"

True happiness will only ever be ours in the next world. Even the Son of God carried a cross in this life.
We will rejoice eternally in heaven once our eternity has been won.
But we need to travel life's road first.

PERSEVERANCE

Mariam had worked for years on a project, which blossomed.
Rabbi Jesus told her, "He who perseveres, prospers."

ABORTION

Mariam asked the Rabbi about abortion, the intentional killing of an innocent unborn.
The Rabbi told her, "What you cannot create, do not destroy."

As humanity, we can co-create a human life, but we cannot create (out of nothing) - life.
Let us respect the right to life of another, especially one so helpless and dependent upon us.

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."

THE CALL TO FOLLOW CHRIST

Mariam was pondering her spiritual life and her call to follow Jesus.
She said, "Jesus, it's a mystery to me; I don't understand it."
The Rabbi answered her, "You're not meant to. Does the seed understand the rose?
No. But it comes to its fulfilment in its due time."

Wait long enough and the work of God will be completed within you.
Jesus came to earth to help us with this task; He mandated us "Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Simply attune your every thought, word and deed to the gospels of Jesus Christ and the Spirit will do the work of God within you.
Trust, and be at peace.

Matthew 5:48
http://biblehub.com/matthew/5-48.htm

With thanks to biblehub.com

OTHERS' EXPECTATIONS

Mariam experienced being driven by another to achieve success. 
Mariam did not win first place in the academic examination, but had done the very best she could.
The other person was disappointed both in Mariam and with her elation at the mark she had achieved.
Rabbi Jesus smiled at Mariam warmly, saying; "You do not do the best with what I gave him (in the way of talents), but you did the best with what I gave you.
I'm proud of you."

Let us be delighted with the personal gifts of body, spirit and intellect God has given us.
Each person receives a different set of gifts.
And our personal gifts change from time to time.

As we become older, let us not look back at the gifts of our youth and envy the changing seasons of our life.
Without the slowing of faculties we would not have the time to allow the deepening and mellowing of our soul.
As the autumn of our lives slows us down, we have time to reflect, repent and strengthen our areas of weakness, and encourage the maturation of the strengths of our soul.

We do not carry our earthly body into the next world. 
However, our spirit is our passport to eternity.
Let us make sure that we have done the very best with what we had as testament to the gift of our soul. 
No matter what others thought.

WORSHIP OF WORK

Mariam was exhausted after working overlong and not taking time off to rest and pray.
Rabbi Jesus said sternly, "Do not worship work."

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

The subject of discrimination came up.
Mariam asked the Master, "And what about races, Lord?"
Rabbi Jesus answered her, "I always think that there are two races in this world; one evil, the other holy."

It is our spiritual disposition which marks who we are.
Let us be children of the light.

Christ is the Light of the world

https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/jesus-declares-i-am-the-light-of-the-world-the-truth-shall-make-you-free?lang=eng

With thanks to lds.org

MURDER AND PERJURY

Mariam was thinking about sin, and shivered.
She asked the Master, "Lord, which is the worst sin: Murder or perjury?"
Rabbi Jesus answered, "They're both equally bad. The one destroys the body and the other destroys the soul."

Murder kills another, removing the other from the path to saintliness before the task is completed. 
Murder destroys the body, robs life and thus does unresolvable harm to the other.

Perjury, while causing harm and psychological distress to an innocent other, has the effect of destroying personal honor and holiness. 
Thus, perjury leaves psychological scars on the innocent other's soul, and exercises destructive effect on personal soul.

It is certainly best to honor all life and hold the truth sacred.

DEPRESSED ABOUT IMPERFECTIONS

Mariam was depressed about her imperfections.
Rabbi Jesus told her, "What did you expect?
Sainthood in four easy steps?
No, you'll have to do it the hard way."

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

Mariam was pensive, thinking of what might have been.
Rabbi Jesus told her, "What might have been was never meant to be."

Don't go over past ground. That water has flowed under the bridge never to return.
Look at the present. That is where our thoughts and presence need to be.
Past regrets will only slow our present progress. Let the past go, repent the repentable and learn from the experience.

REPENTANCE AND THE CHRIST

Mariam spoke with someone who was ashamed of past actions.
The Rabbi said gently, "Christ begins to stir in his soul."

AGE

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

The Son of God is eternal. On this earth let us joyfully welcome each new year as nearing our true destiny - eternity in the presence of the Risen Rabbi.

Proverbs 8:27
"When He established the heavens, I was there; when He drew a circle on the face of the deep."
http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-27.htm

With thanks to biblehub.com

READING ABOUT THE SLAYING OF INNOCENT LAMBS

Mariam was reading about the slaying of sacrificial lambs.
The Rabbi told her, "I was as innocent as they were, and as badly treated."

Matthew 27:32-56
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+27%3A32-56

With thanks to biblegateway.com

QUARRELS

The members of a household were all at odds with one another, with quarrels breaking out over minor issues.
  Mariam, hurt by various comments, asked the Rabbi; "What do you think about this situation?"
  The Rabbi answered, "Loads of smoke with no fire."

Quarrels, harsh words and arguments when there are no real problems are faux problems.
Let us learn to speak calmly, quietly and without temper to one another.

EFFORT

Mariam struggled with fine and laborious sewing. She wished the work was completed.
The Rabbi said, "Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without effort."

RESPONSIBILITIES

Mariam found her responsibilities weighing heavily upon her.
She told the Rabbi, "Lord, this way of life you chose for me has much suffering."
He answered her, "Any way of life you chose would have had suffering."

No life of worth on this earth is free of difficulty. 

CHANGE

Someone tried to convert Mariam from her belief in the Rabbi.
Mariam told the Rabbi, "Lord, I am praying for him to see the light according to you, and he is praying that I will receive the light according to his belief."
The Rabbi, amused, said, "The stronger light will win."

Don't be perplexed if another tries to win you over to belief away from the Master. 
Nothing can take you away from the Way, the Truth and the Life if you don't wish it.

GOOD EXAMPLE

The Rabbi told Mariam, "There comes a point where who you are says more than what you say."

Preach by good example.

WISDOM

Mariam heard the maxim, "Fools rush in where wise men fear to tread."
The Rabbi told her, "And how did the wise become wise? By first rushing in. And then learning from the experience."

Experience is a steady teacher.

SPIRITUAL STUDY

Mariam was tempted to give up her spiritual study as she felt she was getting nowhere.
The Rabbi encouragingly told her, "The one who keeps plodding is the one who wins."

The road to holiness is a long one. It is a very easy path to fall off, and a hard one to stay on. Yet the one who perseveres despite all is the one who will win through.

THE CAREER LADDER

Mariam had the opportunity to climb the career ladder, and found herself disregarding the feelings of others while doing so.
The Rabbi told her, "Don't let your ambition ruin your character."

Don't let the quest for advancement in chosen career blind you to basic courtesies.

AGE

Mariam feared death. She said, "I am so scared of getting old, Lord."
The Rabbi answered, "Don't be afraid. I will be always with you."