[Propertalk] Proper 11 c - part 2

[Robert P Morrison]

Part 2
 What Jesus did that day, in an unusual but very practical way, was to
show that, in the words that came to Paul later, there is no Jew, no
Gentile, no male, no female, no one in bondage of any sort, bound by
rescribed tules and regulations. And when that happens, we will
recognize the true sister=hood and brotherhood we share with one
another and with Jesus.

	 Unfortunately, we’re a long way off from that in so many different
ways, though. We’re uncomfortable about doing away with boundaries,
in fact, we seem eager to build more and more. We prefer rigid
definitions – job descriptions, if you will. “You can’t do that.
You can’t go there. You can’t say that/ You can’t think that.”
It’s far easier to do and say that than to share, than to work
alongside others. And when the spectre of having to listen to what
others’ beliefs, and hopes, and dreams is raised, that can prove to
be far more than we can understand. That’s when walls are rebuilt.
That’s when one’s personal agendas and belief systems cannot risk
being exposed to how another thinks and acts. THAT’S fear talking!

	 There’s a marvellous phrase in the First Letter of Peter, a phrase
often said at the Office of Compline, just before going to sleep:
“Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking
someone to devour.” 5

	 Whether in our sleeping or our waking hours, the devil takes so many
forms, whispering or shouting, cajoling or demanding, always diverting
our attention away from communion, always insinuating the fear of
deprivation to one’s self. Never mind what is just, what is merciful
, what is compassionate for anyone and everyone else.

	 So we destroy. We shut people away. We limit others’ opportunities
to discover what it means to sit at Jesus’ feet in another place, in
another time, in anther manner. We think that there is only ONE way,
only ONE group, only ONE style of being.

	 Is THIS why terrorism works? Is THIS why people have no problem with
destroying other lives, with preventing others from finding their own
path to the Light?

	What is it – and I’m willing to bet that it exists in every
single human – what is it that so concerns someone that he or she
fails to see people as sisters and brothers? Skin pigment, language or
vocal inflection, place of birth, manner of living, even hand and body
gestures as each reaches out to communicate with the One each sees as
Divine – any sort of a difference HAS to be processed and dealt with
by us, and, if we cannot accept difference, then we ourselves become
intolerable.

	Jesus said to Martha that nothing ought to hinder the human soul from
finding satisfaction for its yearning. Jesus probably took Mary’s
hand, or touched her shoulder, and said, “Mary, you’re O.K. Stay.
Listen. Share with Me.”

	And Jesus longs to touch everyone in the same way.

	This makes me wonder whatever became of Mary. Did she stick around
home and go avbout whatever responsibilities needed to be fulfilled?
She didn’t become Bishop of Jerusalem. We’d have heard about that
if she had! But she COULD have! The walls, the ceilings, the floors
– Jesus began to dismantle them. One of the big problems, though, is
that we’ve become so skilled at coming along and re-erecting them,
even when Jesus is standing right there, watching, sighing, shaking
His head.

	“What will it take?” He may be wondering. What will it take for
us to realise what we’re doing, that verbal abuse, and lies, and
manipulation; that physical abuse, and viciousness have no place among
those who have sit and continue to come to sit at Jesus’ feet? What
will it take to stop this? What – if not shootings, if not bombings,
if not trucks mis-appropriated? What will it take to help ourselves
and others appreciate the invitation, and to know that we ALL CAN sit
together?

	Whenever we find a wall that inhibits growth, that prevents
interaction in peace and compassion, how are we going to have the
courage to convince ourselves that our job is to speak peace; our job
is to demonstrate safety; our job is to reach out with open hands?

	Of course, it’s a huge job, There are so many people that are
terrified to live, so many people who are willing to terroroise
others, that theyre willing to destroy everything by whatever means
they can – through speech; through action; through deprivation. They
cannot contemplate what it’s like to love without barriers, to
foster equality of opportunity.

	Almost a thousand years ago, Jehoved, Mirim and Rachel, Rahi’s
daughters, persisted, carefully opening a little farther to others the
door of life. I doubt if they thought a whole lot about how far their
influence would be felt. But here we are, still thinking about them,
benefiting from what they did.

	And one of the things which they took to heart was the passage from
the Talmud which is copied on my office door.

	 “DO NOT be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do
justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated
to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” 6

	 There IS hope for us, and for all. But we must tell others about it,
no matter how uncomfortable, how anxious, how “out of our box” it
may make us feel. We must live out the invitation, every day, ever
where, to sit, to listen. To share and, yes, to help peel potatoes –
whatever it takes to show Jesus’ Love to and for the world.

	NOTES:

	[1] _“Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes”_ by Kenneth E. Bailey.
InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois. © 2008. Page 192.

	2 Acts 22:3

	3 Bailey, Op. cit., page 193

	4 _“Rashi’s Daughters, Book 1: Joheved”_ by Maggie Anton. A
Plume Book, published by Penguin Group, New York. ©Maggie Anton 2005.
Other titles: “_Rashi’s Daughters, Book II: Miriam” _© 2007;
_“Rashi’s Daughters, Book III: Rachel”_ © 2009.

	5 1 Peter 5:8b

	6 _Rabbi Tarfon _www.wisdomquotes.com/quote/rabbi-tarfon.htm [1]
Sometimes attributed to _Rabbi Rami Shapiro’s interpretive
translation of the Talmud in Wisdom of the Jewish sages. __(Source:
kateinindia [2])_

Links:
------
[1] http://www.wisdomquotes.com/quote/rabbi-tarfon.htm
[2]
http://kateinindia.tumblr.com/post/40926989076/do-not-be-daunted-by-the-enormity-of-the-worlds

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