Historical Jesus

This morning I had the opportunity to really connect with someone and communicate about love and the very powerful and positive feeling of being with the force I know as God, a totally wonderful experience. I could feel the presence of that power and knew I was on the right path. I really resonate with the comments by Borg when he wrote of Jesus that "His own self-understanding did not include thinking and speaking of himself as the son of God whose historical intention or purpose was to die for the sins of the world, and his message was not about believing in him. Rather, he was a spirit person, subversive sage, social prophet, and movement founder who invited his followers and hearers into a transforming relationship with the same Spirit he himself knew, and into a community whose social vision was shaped by the core value of compassion.".

Gratitude

No particular activity or attitude stood out today other than a general feeling of gratitude for "what is". All during the day I kept realizing the choice I had between gratitude or anger and disappointment. For example, I awoke with a small amount of back pain, which could have bothered me but I was simply grateful that the pain vanished with exercise and stretching. I was also very grateful for several foods I was able to make myself like yogurt, granola and ketchup because I do not like the ingredients in commercial products. I did some final preparations for the trip I will make in a few days being aware of my physical limitations but also looking forward to the interactions involved in getting the help I need. It was a good day.

Change?

Today I met with a group of Friends (Quakers) to discuss some of the writing of Emile Fuchs from the time shortly after Hitler’s reign. He was a mystic and a strong advocate of the loving and compassionate approach to life recommended by Jesus. The writing was selected because of its applicability to the world today. He wrote "For now, when outward improvement comes, guilt and suffering are zealously forgotten. It seems as if poor and empty people will again win leadership and as if the nations will again run the way of momentary power and success. It is utter darkness if out of the catastrophe not only individuals but whole nations go on as poor and empty of spirit as before." His comments are a very apt description of what is going on in the world right now. The question I am left with is how to break the cycle.