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

MENTAL HEALTH

 

Mariam was criticized by an acquaintance for not maintaining a relationship which had gone sour. 

Mariam had continued to reached out for many years, to meet constant rebuffs and hurtful comments. Now in her mature years, she loved the person, prayed for them, but no longer reached out as before.

Rabbi Jesus soberly told her, "You stopped inviting the hurt."

Sometimes for the sake of your mental health, you need to stop the toxic cycle. You do not need to stop the prayers.

TRUST IN GOD

 

Mariam felt broken at the extent of need she saw around her.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "Be at peace. You cannot fix everything and everyone - but I can."

Listen to God's guidance. Trust in Him. Do what you can, and leave the rest in the Hands of the Almighty. 

Justice and healing will come in one form or another. 

The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceeding well.

REALITY

 

Freepik

A report failed to comprehend actuality of the heavy amount of workload carried by workers. Concerned, Mariam approached the Rabbi.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "The picture being presented is different to the reality on the ground."

Lack of understanding regarding, or diminishment of, overwork may prove impetus to workers to work harder to ensure food and shelter for their dependents. As coping mechanism, this may work for a while. 

However, the coping strategy may founder later, as workers become affected. They may progressively become physically and emotionally unable to continue to bear the burden of sustained overwork.

It is prudent not to overburden staff in pursuit of short-term goals at the expense of long-term perspectives.

PROJECTION

 

A peer made a disastrous decision, and chose to project the blame onto Mariam when unpleasant consequences resulted. Thereafter, the individual looked at Mariam with malice. Nonplussed, Mariam turned to the Rabbi.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "It is easier to dislike someone else than to look within and realize you hitched your wagon to the wrong star."

Be careful not to project inadequacies upon another rather than face your turmoil within.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle

DISCERNMENT

 

Mariam knew something to the detriment of another, which would have devastated the lives of younger members of his family if known. 

Mariam fretted, and asked the Rabbi, "Should I say something?"

Rabbi Jesus responded gently, "Sometimes too much honesty is a brutal thing."

The following is discernment: 

To choose well what to say, as well as when and how to say it. To maintain full transparency as well as heal relationships, without capsizing the familial and societal boat of another.

Let us be honest. Let us also temper honesty with godly mildness, and forebear to destroy others' lives by needless exposure.

In other words, be kind with the Christ-like kindness of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

DEALING WELL

 

Mariam devotedly assisted with the care of a disabled dependent. The beloved disabled blossomed whenever a family relative made annual visit. On one such occasion, Mariam admitted to the Rabbi, "I feel so inadequate. She is so much better at dealing with him than I am."

Rabbi Jesus asked Mariam, "Who cares for him? Who nurses him? Who cooks for him?"

Mariam answered, "I do."

Rabbi Jesus answered,  "The one who does the heavy lifting day in and day out, is the one who deals better with him."

The primary caregiver is the individual who is there at all times for the dependent -  not just sporadically.

IMITATION

 

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Someone hijacked Mariam's ideas, and presented them publicly as their own. Rabbi Jesus was amused at her mirth.

Mariam told the Rabbi, "So it's a case of . . . "

Rabbi Jesus answered, "I create, others imitate."

Do we not all create by imitation from the wonders invented by God in Creation?

FRAUD

 

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Mariam heard of an individual who committed fraud on breathtaking scale.

She said to the Rabbi, "Someone can be so clever, but be . . . "

Rabbi Jesus answered, "Intellectually brilliant, morally bankrupt."

It behoves us to eschew fraud of any nature. Fraud destroys peace of mind and lives of others. Sometimes, consequences of fraud may even pull down the life of the fraudster.

ROYALTY

 

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Mariam reflected, : I am but dust."

Rabbi Jesus smiled, "But also a little bit of Me."

Mariam returned the smile, "I feel Your Royalty singing through my veins whenever I receive Holy Communion."

We receive the True Presence of Christ during Holy Communion. Although we are made of dust and to dust we shall return, we have been made in the Image and Likeness of the Divine. 

EMOTIONS

 

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Mariam experienced a peer who emotionally distanced himself with unfailing regularity.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "He flees from unpleasant emotions."

When an individual declines to face up to uncomfortable situations and the challenge for emotional commitment, this can have an emotionally stunting effect upon the character.

All life is change. Positions of responsibility and the need to accept accountability may often involve unpleasant or uncomfortable situations. When one stands up and accepts these challenges, character deepens, maturity evolves, and emotions become understood friends instead of combative warriors.

TIME

 

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Mariam was embarrassed to reveal her date of birth in public, and said to the Rabbi, "I could say I was born . . ."

Rabbi Jesus chuckled, "In the mists of time."

Do not be embarrassed about advancing age. It is a privilege, not a burden. Many have not been granted this benison. If you experience ageism due to grey hair, deeper maturity and wrinkles, well, do not worry. We are but a spark next to the Eternal Flame.

PERPETUITY

 

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A chapter of one form of ministry closed. Mariam grieved, saying to the Rabbi, "But you called me to that ministry."

Rabbi Jesus answered, "I called you to that ministry, but not in perpetuity."

Don't get stuck in the past to the detriment of the future. All life is change; as do tasks which the Master places before us. Do not let misty-eyed remembrances of past glories (which were not trouble-free, if truth be told), hamper you from grasping the nettles of the present, and the promise of the future.

Ministry is an ever-changing spectrum. Within yourself, you have the answers to those changes: let Christ help you find them.

POWER

 

Mariam sighed. There was so much to do in the world, yet she was so small and insignificant.

Mariam told the Rabbi sadly, "I have no power."

Rabbi Jesus answered, "You have the power over My Heart."

The love which Christ bears for each one of us is limitless. Our small and helpless efforts charm Him, and Jesus fills what is wanting to reach success.

God can do all, we only need to ask, and He will effect all if it is His Will.

We do not need to be strong; because He is.

OTHER TASKS

 

A much loved employment came to an end. Mariam felt sad. 

Rabbi Jesus comforted her, saying, "I need you for other tasks."

Each time in life has a chapter. Do not grieve for what is gone. Rejoice because it was.

PLEASANT LIES VERSUS UNPLEASANT TRUTHS

 

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Mariam experienced resentment from others when she expressed unpalatable truth about a difficult situation. Subsequently, steps were taken to solve the problem. Thereafter, Mariam felt shunned.

 

Remorsefully Mariam told the Rabbi, "I caused the upheaval." Rabbi Jesus answered, "You lanced the abscess."

Do not fall into the trap of preferring to deal with pleasant lies instead of unpleasant truths. However, do not expect to be popular when you reveal unvarnished truth in the pursuit of justice and integrity.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL RABBI JESUS READERS

 

 

Happy Easter to all Rabbi Jesus readers.

May blessings be with you and your loved ones

at this time of peace, joy and goodwill.

A candle has been lit in remembrance of all.

Image: source unknown. With thanks to the creator