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The Ultimate Cure -
"She had been sick for quite some time, first the doctor thought it was this, then he thought it was that, every test, every procedure had been carried out, everything from A to Z examined but still nothing definite. Yet no matter how hard she tried she could still not live a normal life, it was as though her body felt beaten, tired and so sore all the time, no energy, constantly feeling unwell and often overwhelmed by nausea. She looked in the mirror only to see a sad, aged reflection looking back, the sparkle had gone, the glow had left her cheeks, a haunted look had taken their place. But what was it? What plagued her for the most of her life stopping her from living, stopping her from creating that perfect life she always thought she would have?"
Keep reading and find out!
Every which way I turn these days, there seems to be people in search of the quick fix, the ultimate cure all for everything from emotional chaos, to financial hardship. And to cater for the rush of eager seekers, the market is only too happy to provide a million and one remedies, all at a cost. Some are even willing to spend years looking for the "answer." Is there an answer? Or is it some mythical evolution of man, as some philosophies would have you believe?
In my time as a writer and healer I have seen it all; people who believe that by saying some weird mantra, and imagining symbols above their heads that they can step on the evolutionary ride to being saved. I have seen people who believe in specific religions but in their indoctrination into the beliefs of course they consider everyone else cursed! I have heard stories, seen so much suffering all brought about by people who believe their energy is blocked, or that they have some mysterious Karma to fulfill, believe me I have seen it all, or heard it all.
So much of life today is spent, in a hurry. So much of life today is doing things that do not resonate with the souls natural skills, so much of life today is spent fighting our way out of situations that we choose to be in, in the first place. Inappropriate choices, lead to a misalignment of energy, which leads to illness, unhappiness, and in the end separation of the soul from the living experience.
Becoming of health, is not about what tonics you take, or what practices you choose to follow, its about being in touch with your self, your soul and knowing how to respect that which is the manifestation of you on this earth. Disease is the result of being "Not at ease," with life. Being not at ease with your life is the result of being in some way afraid of life. Let me explain further; You see if you are afraid you will not have enough, then you are most inclined to push harder and try to earn more money so you may have the illusion of security. In human terms money = security and I am sure you can understand what I am saying and weigh up how these words reflect within your own life. If you are afraid, then you do not have the ease of courage of following your natural flow of energy, and even though you may be a gifted photographer for example, you may instead find yourself cleaning other people's houses, simply because you think this is what you have to do in order to survive? It is this sort of basic inappropriate thinking that instigates the disease to occur.
Throughout time man has searched for what is called, "The Holy Grail," thinking that there is some actual thing that can fix everything in our lives. In fact "The Holy Grail," is our chalice, our heart cup, that once full will never empty. It is the energy of the soul manifest fully in life, connected to its self, its knowing and in that respecting its integrity of life in ways that honor our presence upon this wonderful planet earth.
There is only one way for our lives to heal, the journey is one of following self, listening to the internal whisperings that respect, honor, cherish, nurture, express our uniqueness on this journey. The young woman in the first paragraph is seeking, her problems stem from her fear of life, her fear of inadequacy, her fear of knowing she and she alone is responsible for her life. No one can fix it for her, no one can take responsibility for her, no one can make it better, and all the money in the world will not take away the real emptiness that lies within her. Her journey will not be over until she lets go of the fear, let's go of the struggle and realizes that she is the most powerful being one could ever imagine. There is nothing more powerful than a soul that is incarnated in physical life. We are awesome; we have the potential to manifest lives that are beyond our imagination if only we can simply live lives in harmony with who we truly are.
Every day I hear people say, "But I don't know who I am." I don't know where to begin, how do I move from here to be there? My answer is its easy, just as a compass naturally points to true north, so your soul will lead you to align with who you are, if you get out of the way of that alignment.
Ultimately, health is the result of the body, mind and soul being in harmony. It is that simple.
Right at this moment is your life inspired? How do you feel right now? I know when I am in harmony by the fullness in my heart, and that fullness is not reliant upon a person or a thing or on money that is the true magic that I am speaking about here.
Harmony, is the result of living in tune with ones energy, never expending too much, never expending too little, its manifestation shows itself as laughter, the twinkle in the eyes, and the passion to do whatever task a person chooses to do. It's an attitude to life, it's the joy of living all being express uniquely as the life of an individual, who is a spiritual being living a physical life. That is what brings health.
There is no mythical evolution of mankind, what is happening now on the earth is just as it has always been, and no it's not something that there is an easy cure for, what most of the population of this planet are currently experiencing is simply the effects of what we as individuals have put in motion. The over complex lives we have created in the search for wealth and enlightenment. Somewhere we forgot the real reason for our lives, somewhere we did fall into the illusion of life, and being helpless and hopeless, trapped at the mercy of everyone and everything and circumstances. All of which are only true if you wish them to be true, and empower them into existence through your fear of them.
The Keys for your healing are all around you, all you need to do is feel and open your heart to listen to what your body mind tells you. For example; When I walk on the beach my heart is filled with such peace and joy that sometimes I feel I could wrap the world in a warm blanket of my intense joy of life, the energy is that big. Put a camera in my hand and let me sit and just watch the waves, my mind is quiet, the rush and hassle and conversations about problems in my head just stop, and balance is restored, harmony floods through me and for that moment, I become immortal, a part of all things, with no worry, no confusion, no struggle. Where is your key? Where does your perfect harmony reside, find it and everything else will just fall into place, this I guarantee. Many Blessing to you on your journey Love TRUITY Lesley Williams
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~ You are welcome to forward this to others, please credit the author. ~
Beyond Mother’s Day
by Deborah Beach Giordano
© May 14, 2007
Can a woman forget her newborn baby?
or have stop caring about her child?
Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget you.
Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are continually before me.
The Beloved’s message to God’s people,
as reported by the prophet Isaiah
~ Isaiah 49:15-16
Another Mother’s Day is over. The long-distance telephone lines have quieted down, the Hallmark card stores are nearly empty, the florists are sweeping up the fallen petals from the hundreds of thousands of bouquets that were delivered.
Some of us spent the day in the pleasant company of our mothers. Many made contact by phone. Others wistfully recalled the beloved moms who have departed for that Farther Shore; I know I did.
Thanks, Mom, for all you did, for all you are; for your patient, loving care.
But what about those folks whose mothers weren’t the sweet and tender angels the greeting cards celebrate?
Mother’s Day must be a sad and confusing time for those who do not know what "a mother’s love" feels like. And it is madness to rejoice in "motherhood" if our female parents were negligent, absent, or abusive.
And what about the kind of parents we become? Human beings imitate what we’ve seen and experienced — often unconsciously. How do survivors of bad parenting break the cycle of abuse?
It isn’t easy.
Where will they find the wisdom and the strength and the love that is so desperately needed? Who will teach them the right path to follow?
Jesus spoke to the people, saying, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, disordered and distressed city! How often I have longed to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings..."
~ Matthew 23:27; Luke 13:34
Jesus said, " ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
~ Matt 22:37-40; Mk 12.28-34; Lk 10.25-28
How precious is your lovingkindness, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
~ Psalm 36:7-9
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
~ The Gospel according to John 13:34-35
The Lord Christ taught us what lovingkindness looks like. His life and ministry provides a model for nurturing and supportive parenthood. When we have no idea what to do, which way to turn, what to believe, He is our sure salvation — the One who rescues us from despair, from violence, from hatred and harm.
Perhaps it may seem weird or unnatural to equate Jesus Christ with motherhood.
But I wonder.
As the Revealer of God’s true nature, our Lord shows us how our Divine Parent feels about us. In His life we see mercy, forgiveness, and compassion ... and a desire for us to grow into people He can be proud of. There are no threats, no rage, no violence; there is healing, and teaching, and praying. And, above all else, there is love.
When the time was right, Jesus blessed his followers and sent them on their way, confident that they would be able to follow Him. Like a good and healthy parent, he discouraged Mary Magdalene from "clinging" to Him — instead sending her out on her own mission. It was time for her to "leave the nest" — to spread her wings and begin preaching the Gospel (John 20:16-18).
When we seek to be good parents — loving and nurturing, blessing and encouraging — there is a Way for us to follow. If our families of origin were disordered and damaging, there is a Path of hope and healing.
In his life, death and resurrection our Lord Christ assured our salvation. In his teaching and preaching he nurtured us. In his love he has given us life: abundant life here and eternal life hereafter. Through him we are born again.
Jesus the Lord cared for the sick, the poor, the hurting, the helpless and the hopeless. Dirt, dust, disease, distance — nothing prevented him from reaching out to those in need. Late into the night he kept watch, and kept praying. And he never, never gave up on those he loved.
Perhaps it is not an act of daring — but only of daring to speak the holy, undeniable truth — when we speak of Jesus as our Mother. How else to describe Someone who will love us to the ends of the earth — and beyond?
Virtual hugs and real-time blessings,
Deborah +
This Week’s Suggested Spiritual Exercise: Remember that you are loved. Remember to love one another.
"Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another."
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Looking Back:
the Story of Lot's Wife
by Deborah Beach Giordano
© May 7, 2007
After pulling him safely inside and away from the crowd, the messengers asked Lot, "Is there anyone else you care about in this town? If you do, get them out of here, fast. For we are going to destroy this place because of the huge number of complaints against its people. The Holy One has heeded the cries of the oppressed, and has sent us to destroy it."
So Lot went to see the young men who were engaged to marry his daughters and told them, "We need to leave, because God is going to destroy this town." But they thought he was joking, and ignored him.
Very early the next day, the messengers shook Lot awake, "Get up. Take your family and get out of here — or else you will be destroyed along with everyone else."
But Lot wasn't in a hurry. He sat outside on his front porch with a cup of coffee and looked around: life was good here and he hated the idea of leaving.
Because of God's mercy to him, the men grabbed Lot and his wife and two daughters by the hands and dragged them away from their house. When they got outside the city limits, the men said, "Run! Get away from here — as far as you can, as fast as you can. Don't slow down, or stop to look back. Go into the hills; you'll be safe there."
But Lot argued with them, "Oh no, my lords. I appreciate what you've done, it was really very kind of you to save my life — but I can't do that. I'm afraid that something horrible will happen to me if I go into the hills and I'll die out there in the middle of nowhere."
He paused and then pointed toward a small settlement on a nearby hill, "Look, see over there? It's a little place, really nothing to speak of, and it is close by. Let me go there — look how small it is! insignificant, surely — if I can get there, I'll be safe!"
With a sigh one of the men replied, "All right, already. I will grant you yet another favor and we won't overthrow that small town you want to go to. But get a move on; I cannot start until you get there." (That is why the town is called "Zoar," which means "small.")
The sun was well into the sky by the time Lot arrived in Zoar. It was then that God sent a rain of sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah from out of the sky.
It was God who overthrew those cities on the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and destroyed what grew on the ground.
And Lot's wife, who was behind him, looked back, and became a pillar of salt. ~ Genesis 19:12-26
This past week I attended a conference on Elder Abuse Prevention. It was a great experience and I learned a lot.
In addition to its educational aspects, the conference offered an opportunity to make connections with other Elder Advocates. I attended a "Networking" reception held on Tuesday evening that featured yummy hors d'oeuvres and a very respectable assortment of California wines. Life was good.
Wednesday promised more of the same: useful information and delicious food. In the morning — after a pleasant continental breakfast — I went to seminars on Nursing Home Staffing Mandates, and Updates on Recent Legislation. At lunchtime I joined a couple of friends who had saved a seat for me at the front of the ballroom. For the first few minutes we chatted amiably over our salads, getting to know the other folks who shared our table. As the waiters delivered the entree of baked salmon with rice and white asparagus, the luncheon speaker was introduced.
Dr. Gibbs is an expert on elder mental health issues, and well-known for her work as an expert witness in cases of elder abuse. She began her presentation with a picture of her best friend, Rupert — a rather motley-looking terrier mix. And of course Deborah the animal lover was immediately hooked.
I turned my chair to face the huge projection screen, enthralled by Rupert's scraggily whiskers which were visible in such detail. The color clarity and sharp focus were impressive.
We were given a brief review of the history and goals of Dr. Gibbs' agency, and the most recent data on the extent of elder abuse — which crosses all cultural and socioeconomic boundaries. It was disturbing but, as the good doctor said, these were just statistics. Facts and figures have little meaning; what matters is the individuals who make up these numbers. With that introduction, she began describing some of the cases she had worked on. In graphic detail.
Photo after photo — 12 feet high — of grandmas and grandpas with blackened eyes, burned skin, and splintered bones. Unwashed hair, untrimmed nails, bedding that had not been changed in months.... Bodies that had not been bathed in weeks, covered with blood, and spit, and worse. Face after face stared out at us in mute agony.
When it ended, the room was silent. I felt damp and dizzy — even though I'd kept my eyes on the carpet after the first dozen or so photos. Reflexively we applauded as Dr. Gibbs left the stage. I have no idea what else was said. The room emptied with the same orderly quiet as a funeral home chapel; there was none of the chatter and thumping typical of 150 people leaving a dining room.
Outside the same quiet prevailed, and a sense of mourning, or sorrow, or shock. We'd been expecting a "lunch speaker" — a presenter who would give us some information and encouragement and perhaps a joke or two. Something light and hopeful. We were utterly unprepared for the things we had seen.
After exchanging a few words with my colleagues — who looked like I felt, I went home with the beginning of a sick headache. None of them stayed for the afternoon sessions, either. In conversations the next day we discovered that many folks had left the conference at that point and basically collapsed; going straight to bed, or falling asleep on the sofa, suffering from headaches and stomach aches, feeling tense, depressed and nervous.
Despite the kind of work we do, and the fact that we know those kinds of things happen, it was hard to see those things in person. We were saddened, and shocked, and sickened.
I sat at my desk that evening, reading my emails and solving an online crossword puzzle ... trying to get those terrible images out of my head. I began to doubt the purpose of all our efforts. After nearly 40 years of education and legislation our elders are still victimized; abused, neglected, threatened, robbed, bilked of their life's savings, given substandard medical care ... I began to feel very hopeless and stuck — as if there was no sense in trying, no sense in going forward, as if nothing mattered.
Maybe that's how Lot's wife felt. As she looked back at the city where she had once lived, perhaps she recalled the faces of the people there. She may have smelled the smoke, and watched the buildings collapse. Could she hear the cries of the dying? Did she see the birds and sheep and wild animals fleeing from the fire as their homes, too, were destroyed? She must have been saddened and shocked and sickened by the terrible loss. Her grief must have seemed overwhelming.
In the midst of all she witnessed, perhaps Lot's wife felt hopeless and stuck — as if there was no sense in trying, no sense in going forward, as if nothing mattered.
Perhaps there have been times when you've felt that way, too.
Maybe you feel that way right now. There is no sin in that.
Nowhere does the text condemn Lot's wife for having looked back. It only reports what happened to her when she did.
Was the message to Lot, "Don't ever look back." or "Don't continue to look back."?
I wonder.
Perhaps it was a warning not to be so bound by what is past that we forget about today. Whatever has gone before is history; it is not a mandate for the future. The past is our teacher, not our jailer. We have been set free. Our God is the Originator of "a new thing": there is always a possibility for change, for renewal and restoration (Isaiah 43:19; Mark 1:17; Mt 9:17; John 13:35, Mk 2:5; Luke 7:48).
Sometimes that is hard to believe. But it is true.
The Holy One has filled each day, each hour, every moment with opportunity — our opportunity to look with a new vision, to open our hearts to the possibility of something new, something wonderful, something hopeful. This very day can be a day of new beginnings — when we dare to believe, to hope, to try, and to do.
The longest journey begins with a single step.
May the radiant Lord walk with you in all your travels!
Virtual hugs and real-time blessings,
Deborah +
This Week's Suggested Spiritual Exercise: Is there an aspect of your history that holds you back? Has something that you've seen or experienced or done prevented you from living your life with true Christian hope and courage? What do you need in order to move forward? Who can help you?
Do you accept the Beloved's deep and abiding love and sincere forgiveness of your sins and shortcomings? Are you willing to trust that you don't have to be perfect in order to make a difference?
"We can do no great things;
we can only do small things with great love."
~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta
JOIN OUR LIST: If you would like the weekly Reflection to be sent directly to your email address, you may join our list for free by emailing dbgiordano@comcast.net with the word "Reflections" in the subject or body of the email. The Reflections mailing list is NOT used for any other purpose.
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Life sometimes takes us on incredible journeys, and often those journeys are not in the direction we consciously choose. Have you ever been in a situation where it your tempted to not be one hundred percent honest? Most of us are tempted at some time or other in our lives to tell that white lie, or, not speak up, or keep that thing that really doesn’t belong to us. Being 100% honest should be the easiest thing in the world, but its not society shows us that over and over and over.
Sometimes it seems easier at the time, to just tell that white lie, we all think no one will ever find out, no one will know.
Problem is someone does know, and that someone is the most important person in your world ~ its YOU! As kids we take that extra sweetie from the sweetie jar, or pick up dads spare change and take it to the local shop to buy goodies. We hope no one will notice, and often they don’t, but what about how what we do affects us? How does not being honest affect your life? Do you sleep well at night? Are your relationships healthy and full of trust and love? Chances are if you tell the odd fib, then you will be someone who doesn’t trust other people, did you realize that?
This is simply because the standards and values we base our life upon are actually our own standards and values. Simple hey!
Have you ever experienced telling a lie to someone you love and then being caught out? How did that feel? What happened, I guess when all hell broke loose, you felt that you didn’t deserve the anger of the other person did you? And you probably tried to justify why you told the lie, or did what you did. You may even have told the story over and over to a dozen people trying to clear your conscience.
When you do something wrong, you know what you have done. Knowing you have done something wrong, affects your self esteem, self worth, self respect, self acceptance, and no amount of justifying will ever allow you to get past the truth of the experience.
To me life is simple if you don’t do anything wrong then you don’t have to spend all that energy and worry trying to cover your butt. Instead you can spend that time, thinking on things that are happy, living life enjoying the time, the experiences, and the people.
So remember next time when tempted, and you feel like lying to get yourself out of trouble think again, doing the right thing may be a little more difficult in the initial moment, but its far better long term. You won’t be living your life feeling guilty, or feeling that something is going to happen to expose what you did or said.
It takes courage to live life with honesty – integrity and by doing the right thing. So at the end of the day who are you? How do you feel about your life, your relationships?
And remember this: from this moment on you can make the choice to be a person of courage, after all what are you afraid of?
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~ You are welcome to forward this to others, please credit the author. ~
The Sin of Sodom
by Deborah Beach Giordano
© April 23, 2007
Two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting at the gate of the city. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and bowed to them with the greatest respect. He said, "Please, my lords, come to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you can rise early and go on your way."
They replied, "No; we will spend the night in the town square."
But Lot was insistent, so they went with him to his house. He prepared a grand feast for them, and baked unleavened bread. And they ate together with him.
But before they retired for the night, the population of Sodom, both young and old — all the people to the last man — surrounded the house; and called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, so that we may know just who they are."
Lot went out to speak to the crowd, closing the door after him. "I beg you, my brothers, don’t behave so wickedly. Look, I have two young daughters; I will turn them over to you to do with as you please; but do not harm these men, for they are guests in my house."
But the people replied, "Get out of the way!" And they complained to each other, "This guy is a foreigner, and he dares to judge us!" The crowd began to shove, and pushed Lot up against the door, nearly breaking it down, "Now we’ll do to you what we would have done to them!"
But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot into the house with them, and slammed the door, shutting it tight. Then they struck blind everyone who was pushing against the door — both the big shots and the regular Joes — so that they could not see to get in.
~ Genesis 19:1-11
The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. We all know what that is!
Or do we? I wonder.
The people of Sodom are recovering from an attack against their city. In battle their army was routed and the king abandoned his troops and fled into the hill country. Their women and children were taken hostage, their crops decimated, all of their possessions stolen and their foodstuffs destroyed. Their world had been turned upside-down (Gen 14:10).
In a far country, Abraham learned that his nephew Lot had been taken captive. He gathered together his allies and waged war against the enemy armies, forcing their kings to surrender. Lot and the other hostages were returned to Sodom and the people’s possessions were restored. Although the record states that Abraham did not take any reward for himself, those who were with him "took their share" of the riches that had been recovered (Gen 14:24).
The war had been costly. Many soldiers had been killed, families had been displaced, lives disrupted, crops destroyed, buildings burned down, possessions lost or stolen. Things would never be the same.
Sodom had been a haven of peace and abundance; a pleasant expanse of orchards and rich farms providing plentiful food and fabrics. Now many things were in short supply and prices went through the roof. Traders and merchants demanded huge sums for grain and ale, lenders charged exorbitant interest rates. The rich got richer and the poor got poorer.
And no one believed they were safe from enemy attack. They didn’t trust their allies and had no faith in the king. Everyone was angry and afraid.
This was the town that the two strangers came to visit.
We need to remember, too, that Lot and his family were immigrants to the city — wealthy immigrants who had only lived in Sodom for a few years. They probably had a nice house in a good part of town, for Lot brought with him the many herds and servants he had accumulated while living with Abraham. (Not to mention that his uncle was a warrior king!)
And now, after all they’ve been through, the people of Sodom see this rich foreigner in conversation with a couple of strangers. He treats them with obvious deference and then escorts them to his house — so they must be important somebodies. But who are they?
Surely someone went in for a closer look or perhaps a neighbor reported what she saw.
...
There they were, sitting together around the table, thick as thieves, dining on dates and honey and other delicacies. — While decent people who have lived here all their lives are going hungry! It’s a scandal!
Eating and drinking and laughing... saying God-only-knows-what in that unintelligible language of theirs! — They sound like a bunch of magpies chattering together!
No one ever knows what is going on in that house. They keep to themselves. — I guess they are too good to have anything to do with plain folks like us! — No one can understand them, anyway. He has that ridiculous accent, and the wife and daughters go chitter-chatter to one another all day long. — If they’re going to live here, why don’t they speak our language?
They don’t need to; not with all the wealth they’ve got! Flocks and flocks of goats and sheep, teams of shepherds, servants in every room in the house ... they’ve probably got a storeroom full of gold and jewels. — Maybe that’s why no one has ever been in that house!
How did he get to be so rich? He doesn’t do anything. — While the rest of us slave away all our lives, these rich foreigners come here and makes themselves comfortable!
He spends all his time just sitting by the gate and watching the people pass by. — Nice work, if you can get it! — Lazy, good-for-nothing foreigner!
Why does he sit there anyway — when there are lots of other nice shady spots in town? He must be up to something! He shouldn’t even be there — that’s the main entrance to the city! It should be guarded by natives of Sodom that we can trust — not that damned foreigner, gabbing with anybody who comes along.
He’s hardly trustworthy, is he? After all, he isn’t really one of us.
We were lucky last time, because it was in his interest to help us: we were on the same side. But what if his uncle the war lord decides to attack our city? He had no trouble beating the armies that beat us ... it would be a cakewalk for him to come in here and take over!
Do you suppose that’s what they’re doing over there right now — plotting to attack us? — He’s probably telling those spies where our defenses are weakest!
Well, we can’t just sit here! We have to know who the hell those guys are and what they want. If they won’t talk we’ll shake it out of them!
...
And so a crowd forms, intent on their purpose. They will get to know everything about these strangers who have come into town, by whatever means necessary. Beatings. Rape. Torture. ... Whatever it takes to get a confession. After all: they’re not one of us.
The writer tell us that the mob that arrived on Lot’s doorstep was composed of all the people of Sodom — "to the last man." While this is surely an exaggeration, it makes it clear that the hostile attitude toward these unknown visitors was widely held. It was shared by "the great and the small": the big shots in town and the common folk, the rich and the poor, the aristocracy and the peasants — everyone was ready to violently attack the strangers.
How could that happen — that a whole community was willing to attack a group of people about whom they knew nothing?
How could the voice of reason — and, more important, the Voice of God — be silenced so utterly?
The answer, I think, is fear.
When we are afraid, we react: fight or flight seem our only alternatives. God gets pushed aside and forgotten. We ignore our Call to be compassionate, we dismiss the Commandment to love. We forget that we are Christians.
When rage and violence begin to swirl around us, we must love all the more passionately. We must counteract demands for vengeance with an insistence on mercy, compassion, and prayer-filled reflection. When abuse and condemnation is hurled at "foreigners" — at "outsiders" of every kind, let us recall the sin of Sodom.
The only reason for the people of Sodom’s attack on Lot and his visitors was fear — fear of those about whom they knew nothing. It certainly wasn’t sexual attraction. Their fear drove them to be willing to do anything: to assault a man in his home, to attack a visitor, to drive out a stranger, to kill a messenger of the living God.
Fear, suspicion, hatred, prejudice ... those are sins which will destroy a city — or a nation, or a soul.
Virtual hugs and real-time blessings,
Deborah +
This Week’s Suggested Spiritual Exercise: What are you afraid of? How do you respond when something frightens you? What can you do to bring Christ-inspired wisdom and peace into your life and into our world?
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