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