TRUITY Spiritual Mentoring - Reflections Rev Deb 29-1-07

Reflections Rev Deb 29-1-07

by Deborah Beach Giordano

Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles."

Afterwards Peter said to him, "Explain this parable to us."

Jesus replied, "Don't you get it, yet? Can't you see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and from there goes out into the sewer? And that's the end of it. But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart — that is where the pollution comes from. For out of the heart comes evil intentions, murder, unfaithfulness, idolatry, theft, lies, slander.... These are the things that poison a person's soul."

~ The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 15, verses 10-11, 15-19

as interpreted by Deborah

On Friday evening the traffic was miraculously light, so I got to my hairdresser's appointment early. Mimi was still at work beautifying another client, so I looked through some of the magazines that were stacked on the coffee table. It was a treasure trove of guilty pleasures: Vogue, Glamour, Elle, People — the sorts of publications one would never admit to reading.

I confess that I avidly gawk at photos of fashion shows, movie premiers, and fundraising galas. I love to look at the beautifully designed clothing, the fabulous fabrics, elegant shoes and expensive jewelry. I have no idea why they hold the attraction they do. I don't want or need any of those things — I certainly don't have any place to wear a two thousand dollar Dior gown! — and I'm not crazy enough to imagine I could ever look like any of the women who wear them. It's just because ..... they're pretty, I guess. In between the photographs were articles on The Lives of The Rich and Famous

— I certainly don't have any place to wear a two thousand dollar Dior gown! — and I'm not crazy enough to imagine I could ever look like any of the women who wear them. It's just because ..... they're pretty, I guess. In between the photographs were articles on The Lives of The Rich and Famous — the predictable litany of dating and mating, breakups and breakdowns; New Fashions — overpriced and designed to be worn by the undersized; and, of course — the primary purpose behind these magazines — How You Can Look Like This.

I recall reading about a study of these magazines, conducted not long ago. It concluded that after reading them for 10-15 minutes, women reported being significantly less satisfied with their overall body image. My personal experience affirms this finding.

Looking up from the softly-lighted and expertly airbrushed young women, I was confronted by the older, far less glamorous face in the mirror. Immediately I resolved to stop at the store on my way home and buy some blusher and a new shade of lipstick.

And there — in response to my newly-discovered "need" — was an ad for a cosmetics company. The young woman in the photo looked exquisite; her skin flawless, her bright eyes framed by lacy lashes, and her lips a sweet and lovely rose. That brand was clearly the one I ought to buy.

Having finished with her other customer, Mimi glanced over my shoulder and commented, "Isn't it amazing that such a pretty girl can be so ugly on the inside?"

It turns out that the lovely-looking young woman has a reputation for foul language, angry outbursts, and violent altercations. She has shown no concern for other people's feelings, public safety, or private property. Not nice. Not pretty.

I set the magazine down, feeling like Rip Van Winkle awakening from his fairy enchantment. Well ... duh! Of course! A person's outside appearance is no indication of what lies inside. I knew that! At least I thought I knew it — though I seemed to have forgotten it, readily enough.

Every day — in both overt and subtle ways, we are surrounded by messages that trumpet the importance of exterior appearances. Slim waists, firm abs, white teeth, and full lips are deemed essential to modern beauty. But what about interior loveliness? That quality seems to be missing from consideration. But what if we started paying serious attention to what makes a person beautiful on the inside? What if the public started clamoring for magazine articles on great philanthropists? What if fan clubs sprang up for those engaged in good works: for Doctors Without Borders, Heifer International, Amnesty International and the like? What if we treated those who volunteer at our hospitals, animal shelters, schools, and libraries like celebrities

— in both overt and subtle ways, we are surrounded by messages that trumpet the importance of exterior appearances. Slim waists, firm abs, white teeth, and full lips are deemed essential to modern beauty. But what about interior loveliness? That quality seems to be missing from consideration. But what if we started paying serious attention to what makes a person beautiful on the inside? What if the public started clamoring for magazine articles on great philanthropists? What if fan clubs sprang up for those engaged in good works: for Doctors Without Borders, Heifer International, Amnesty International and the like? What if we treated those who volunteer at our hospitals, animal shelters, schools, and libraries like celebrities — honoring them with red carpet receptions and gala banquets?

What if we started paying serious attention to true beauty? What if our society began to take a real interest in what makes our souls lovely? How might our world be different?

I wonder ....

There's only one way to find out. And that's to start the process ourselves. One day at a time; one word, one thought, one prayer, one action at a time.

It's not what goes into our mouths that turns our souls sour, nor does what goes onto our mouths make a difference — no lipstick can make our words sweet, or make our spirits soar. What matters is what comes out of our mouths. What matters is what pours forth from our hearts.

We have been called to follow Christ: to fashion our lives on His life. We are the bearers of the Promise: revealers of God's mercy, goodness, and eternal, unending love. When that radiant Truth shines forth from our hearts, we can light up the whole world with hope and joy.

All that is came into being through this One; nothing stands outside. What has come into being in him was Life, and the life was the Light of all people. The Light illuminates the darkness, and the darkness can never overcome it.

~ the Gospel according to John, chapter 1, verses 3-5

May your mouth and your heart be filled with Light — today and always!

Virtual hugs and real-time blessings,

Deborah +

This Week's Suggested Spiritual Exercise: Over the years, have you modeled yourself on other people: mimicking their looks, behavior, or speech? What about them seemed attractive? Is it a quality you still admire? What would it be like to model your life on the life of Christ?

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