HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR

 

Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year

to all Rabbi Jesus readers.

May blessings be with you and your loved ones

at this time of peace, joy and goodwill.

We pray for safeguarding from Covid-19.

A candle has been lit in

remembrance of all who are suffering

or have lost their lives since the beginning

of the pandemic. Our thoughts are with

their families, colleagues and friends.

ABORTION

 

Mariam had read of psychologists who attested to the long-term trauma many women suffer after having an abortion, especially if aborting their child was a response to a crisis. 
The Rabbi told her, "Abortion - the response to a crisis by creating a greater one."

SPIRITUAL BATTLE

Mariam was taking part in spiritual battle alongside her opposite gender counterparts who viewed her role with scepticism. 

The Rabbi told her , "You are fighting in the same army in different battalions."

The Letter of St Paul to the Ephesians Chapter 6 verses 13 to 17 tells us, "Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and after having done everything, to stand. 

Stand firm then! Buckle the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. Strap up your feet in readiness with the gospel of peace. 

Above all, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

POVERTY

 

Mariam experienced ostracism due to her poverty. 

Rabbi Jesus told her, "This happened because you are the same way I was on earth - poor."

Those who experience marginalization due to lack of funds do so in the company of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

CALL TO MINISTRY

 

Mariam was tasked with a new service which proved a challenge.

She asked the Rabbi, "How am I supposed to carry out ministry with this dysfunctional set-up?"

The Rabbi answered, "It's because of the dysfunctional set-up that you received this ministry."

Sometimes individuals are called to work in the vineyard to clear out the weeds and overgrowing vines. The task may not be pretty but it is essential. Working in God's Service is not for the faint-hearted. Always be brave.

CHORES

Mariam cooked for lunch. Her request to a peer for help with washing the dishes was met with reluctance. 

The Rabbi said, "He's not hesitant to eat the food." 

APOLOGY

 

Mariam heard of individuals called upon to apologize for their ethnicity.

The Rabbi told her, "There is no need to apologize for God's handiwork."

MESSENGER

 

Mariam had the opportunity to assist with spreading the good news of God's Kingdom. The price was that she would not receive the credit. Mariam felt quite content.

The Rabbi told her, "It's not about the messenger; it's about the message."

JUSTICE

 

Mariam tried to bring justice to a situation and met with ingratitude.

"If I try to bring justice there are those who hate me," she gloomily told the Rabbi.

"But I don't," He answered.

And He is the Judge on the Last Day.

DESPAIR

 

Mariam saw an advertisement for the sale of repossessions from neighbours.  The Rabbi told her,

"You don't want to build your luck upon another's despair."

RESPONSIBILITY

As time went on, others became dependant on Mariam. Promises she had lightly made now began to weigh heavy upon her. 

The Rabbi said, "Silken threads that turn into ropes."

Small beginnings can lead to larger responsibilites. 

Think well before you make substantial commitments.

ETHNICITY

Mariam experienced rejection because of her ethnicity. She declined to reciprocate.

The Rabbi affirned her, "Refuse to hate another based on their God-given characteristics."

It behoves us not to despise the handiwork of God. Individual ethnicity equates personal beauty.

BEHAVIOUR PATTERNS

For some years, Mariam worked with a group that did not value her. Some time after they parted ways, Mariam reached out for assistance which was not forthcoming.
The Rabbi was not surprised. "They always failed you," He said.

Do not keep on hoping that the behaviour patterns of others will assuredly change in the face of goodwill. The behavioural track record of a person is there for a reason; to alert others to their possible responses in the face of difficulties. 

Instantaneous conversions of soul do occur; yet many conversions occur over years. Acceptance of repetition of behaviour patterns of others is not defeatism.
"It's called reality," said the Rabbi.

HOLDING A GRUDGE

Someone held an unfound grudge against Mariam and refused her offer of an olive branch. This kept the controversy alive despite Mariam's innocence regarding the matter. 
The Rabbi told her, "They have to make the supposition a fact."

Sometimes others may hold on to emotions of rejection and disdain despite evidence that their grudge has no material basis. Having spread news of their grievance far and wide, it is as if they decline to accept objective reality and metaphorically rewrite the actual history in order to substantiate their rejection of the other.

DISCIPLINE

An unruly community member. 
Mariam remarked, "He dislikes me deeply."
The Rabbi answered, "Because you are the voice of discipline."

In society, those who believe in self-discipline and order will always find themselves unwittingly pitted against those who do not.

INJUSTICE

Mariam witnessed descendants of unjustly treated forebears now persecuting others.
The Rabbi told her, "The use of yesterday's injustice in order to perpetrate today's injustice."

FAULTLINES

Ongoing cuts in staffing over years had left an industry exposed when crisis hit. The results of many decisions over an extended period of time had led to a vulnerable workforce in the face of exigency.

The Rabbi told Mariam, "You could see the faultlines yawning."

Discernment is the ability to judge well, and is a discipline best practised prior to unexpected difficulty. It is imprudent to make decisions which fail to allow for the unexpected. Otherwise the unexpected could become the disastrous. Discern the possibility of faultlines inherent within decisions - and avoid them.

REJECTION

An acquaintance rejected assistance and guidance, thereafter falling into the very difficulty others had warned him of.
Rabbi Jesus told Mariam, "He carved his own cross."

It is prudent to listen to concerned family and friends. Their offer of support and wisdom may roll many obstacles from our path.

UNHAPPY RESULTS

An acquaintance had made a decision which eventually led to unhappy results.

The Rabbi told Mariam, "He made his decision. These are the consequences."

It behoves us to consider well and seek wise guidance before making a lasting decision. We - and often, others - will be called upon to carry the consequences thereof.

INSULT

Mariam experienced insult and provocation.
Deeply hurt, she asked the Rabbi, "How should I react?"
He answered, "Remain calm and dignified. 
Live in a godly way in an ungodly situation."

DESTRUCTION

Mariam was puzzled regarding the destruction of religious artworks.
The Rabbi explained,  "It's not about art, it's about agenda."

MEASURE OF TRUE WORTH

So many people have existed over centuries. Who among them possesses ascendancy before the Creator God?

Rabbi Jesus told Mariam, "I gave my blood to redeem every person without exception. 

The measure of the love and redemption I offer each one is the measure of their true worth."

The price paid for our redemption was high. So is our true value.

UNCERTAINTY

Mariam sat with Mother Mary. She felt so uncertain as she faced a task for the Master. She panicked whether she would be able to successfully carry it out.

Mother Mary soothed her, "Keep on going. You're wonderful."

Jesus will never direct us to carry out a task for which we are unsuited. If we do not possess the skills at the outset, He will support us as we build them along the way.

We need to have the same confidence in ourselves which the Christ has. With the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us, how can we allow our faith to fail?

Be strong. We are wonderful.

GOODNESS

Mariam met a parishioner with a reputation for godly behaviour.
Rabbi Jesus said to her,"He knows how to be a good man in a bad world."

ULTIMATE GUIDANCE

Mariam was in a quandery. She needed to write an answer to a conundrum and, as always, turned to the Master for aid. 

Mariam asked Him, "Please help me to write this."

Rabbi Jesus answered, "This one you must write from your heart."

God always gives us the answers we seek. Sometimes our greatest personal growth is achieved when He allows us to search for the answers we already contain within.