“’Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” Luke 10: 36-37
Luke 10:36-37
“The way you alchemize a soulless world into a sacred world is by treating everyone as if they are sacred until the sacred in them remembers.”
Sarah Durham Wilson
Authentic awareness of the Divine always expresses in caring regard and actions toward our fellow human beings and all creation. Genuine spiritual teachers emphasize this, and it is the fundamental principle of all faith paths. Practicing this profoundly spiritual love requires wisdom and commitment. It challenges us to let go of all condemnation, criticism, indifference, and hatred toward our fellows—especially those who are so obviously doing things that harm. The “Butterfly Effect” tells us that small changes matter. We are part of the overall relationship system that connects all creation. When we choose to love even in what may seem to us a small situation, we make a great contribution to everyone’s well-being. We reduce the amount of violence in the world and increase the expression of healing and grace.
Violence has always occurred in human affairs. Too often it has flown under the radar of the dominant culture because it has been visited upon people who, at the level of human affairs, have not been allowed to have agency or voice. And it has been visited upon them in ways that were not always obvious or acute. That ancient pattern is now surfacing to be seen, taken responsibility for and healed. The metaphysical term for this is chemicalization – the arising into awareness of all that is not up to the Jesus Christ standard. Like the bubbling and foaming that occurs when lemon juice is poured on baking soda, there is a reaction – a disturbance at the surface. We see this happening at the human level in these times with the rise in overt threats and actions of violence toward school board members, civic leaders, elected officials, and faith communities. When I read this in the news or become aware of it happening in our local community, my first reaction is often fear and anger. Then the Christ in me gives me “the nudge.”
“The nudge” is the call to bring my reactions to Spirit. Spirit invites me to first acknowledge my emotions and honor them for what wisdom they have for me. Then to let the feelings move through—not to turn them into hardened condemnations. Spirit doesn’t let me stop there! My inner Christ reminds me that everyone is an expression of God, everyone is sacred, everyone is my neighbor. And so, in prayer I actively, overtly, immediately express love toward the person and situation. I bless, affirming that this person’s highest good come to fruition in them. I ask to see them as God sees them. As I do this the world becomes a safer place, a sacred place. No human being has the power to destroy or harm, for only God is present. Only love has the last word and our souls are fully blessed.
In the Love and Light of the Christ,
Rev. Anna
