DIAMOND

 

Mariam felt disheartened. Her journey along life's path seemed never-ending, full of thorns instead of roses. Further, she experienced disrespect from others.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "They do not see the diamond beneath the stone.

For every insult and illness you suffer, you will receive a crown.

For every hardship, a blessing.

For every hard word, a gem.

For them all, a throne for eternity.

This is my promise to you. "

When we suffer difficulties, we need to look at the Savior and ask for the gift of strength. Below the surface of who we appear to be, is the reality of who we actually are. 

We start our spiritual life as uncut diamond in stone. The vagaries of life and God's work planes our inner self into precious gem. 

Our reward for a life well lived will be the greatest crown and throne of all - living in the Presence of God forever.

VILIFIED

 

Mariam was undergoing persecution for holding fast with regard to unpopular views.

She wept to the Rabbi, "I am hated and vilified wherever I go."

Rabbi Jesus answered her gently, "Yet you are the most treasured of all."

It is when we follow God's Way and subsequently are called harsh names, that we are most close to the Saviour Who was the most badly treated of all.

TRUE LOVE

 

Mariam saw a couple who had weathered the storms of life, yet still loved one another.

She said to the Rabbi, "They are ..."

The Master replied, "Two faithful hearts, beating as one."

True love never dies.

RABBONI - WRITTEN BY A JESUIT PRIEST

 

RABBONI

(Written by a Jesuit priest just before he expired.)

Rabboni, - when I am dying

How glad I shall be

That the lamp of my life

Has burned out for Thee.

That sorrow has darkened 

The path that I trod,

That thorns and not roses

Were strewn o'er the sod.

That anguish of spirit

So often was mine,

Since anguish of spirit

So often was Thine.

My cherished Rabboni,

How glad I shall be

That the lamp of my life

Has burned out for Thee.

(Holy Hour for a new people. Compiled by Rev. James F. Seculoff. Page 25)

HOME

 

Mariam had to move house and felt stressed at the need for relocation. 

Mariam stuttered to the Rabbi, "Home . . . "

Rabbi Jesus reassured her calmly, "Home is a state of heart."

Wherever you go, whatever roof (or none) you lay your head under to rest, you are always at home if you rest calm within the peace of the Lord.

DIFFERENT CULTURES

 

Mariam felt caught between two cultures. 

She told the Rabbi, "I was born to parents from two very different cultures. To which ethnicity do I really belong?"

Rabbi Jesus answered her, "Neither. You are a new creation in God."

Our true inheritance is not from human societal values; it is from our universal Father, God.

DECLINATION OF MATRIMONY

The issue of a man who determinedly chases a woman, and once the woman is enamoured refuses to place a wedding ring on her finger.

Mariam said, "So many women are so deeply hurt by men . . . "

Rabbi Jesus answered her, "Wanting the thrill of the chase without the responsibility of the capture."

Do not trifle with another's feelings. Lives can be disfigured by disrespect.