Lectionary: 249The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.”
What's really irritating to a faux theologian like myself is when someone with no claim to theology whatsoever makes a profoundly true statement, as the guards did when they reported back to chief priests and Pharisees, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.”
They were appropriately accused of idiocy and stupidity and dismissed.
The Truth has a maddening knack for being dismissed, ignored, shunned or assailed by the guardians of Truth.
Fortunately the Holy Spirit moves among us and occasionally lifts up the lowly, rebukes the proud and reveals the Truth to the world beyond the grasp of its guardians.
Saint Clare provided for that possibility in her Rule; even the newest and youngest member of the convent may speak during the sisters' meetings. Their fresh eyes may see more clearly what the older women overlook or prefer not to discuss.
Shunryu Suzuki, in his book, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, begins with:
"For a while you will keep your beginner's mind, but if you continue to practice one, two three years or more, although you may improve some, you are liable to lose the limitless meaning of the original mind...."If your mind is empty it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few...."In the beginner's mind there is no thought, 'I have attained something.' All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something. The beginner's mind is the mind of compassion. When our mind is compassionate it is boundless...."So the most difficult thing is always to keep your beginner's mind. There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen...."I might add, there is no need to have a deep understanding of theology. It's better to begin with love, gladness and eagerness; to sit like Mary of Bethany in Jesus' presence and listen to him -- especially during these last weeks of Lent.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.