immersed in Sacred

We meet at this appointed time,

but the text says, Lovers pray constantly.

Once a day, once a week, five times an hour,

is not enough. Fish like we are

need the ocean around us.

                               Rumi

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

                               1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NRSV)

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

                               Jesus  (John 15:5 NRSV)

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They way of the one called Jesus

is not for the faint of heart

it is not for those who want the easy way

it is not for those who are willing to compromise

nor for those who want to be “practical’

or “safe”

oh no

no, no, no

the way is narrow

not the way to God

for the gates are open wide, and all are welcome

but the way OF God

oh wow!

that Jesus!

‘You have heard it said” he intoned

‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

but I say to you, do not resist an evildoer.

if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;

if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well;

if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.

give to everyone who begs from you,

and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

You have heard that it was said,

You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy

but I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

so that you may be children of your Father in heaven;

be perfect

be perfect?

Seriously?!

all if this is beyond us

it is crazy

foolish

and dangerous

it is a gross denial

of the way of domination and power

it is a flagrant rejection of the way of retribution

a scandalous assault on the way of wealth and accumulation

and we can’t do it!

which is perhaps the point

Jesus was trying to make

Perchance Jesus was trying to force us to accept that fact

that what this way is all about

is not actually merit

but grace

it is not about what we do

it is about what Sacred can do through us

for we can “do all things” (Phil. 4)

through the One who strengthens us

Jesus raises the bar

all the way to perfection….

and then suggests

“you’ll have to let me do it”

Which is why this way

is not really about perfection

but about union

it is about that ongoing

day by day

moment by moment

connection to God

that allows the Spirit to

blow through us like wind

and burn within us like fire

it is about allow the Sacred

to permeate our being to

such a degree

that we become

more like Jesus

touching base with God

once in a while is not enough

we need to abide 

abide in God’s love

abiding is like a little child snuggling in his or her parent’s arms…

only even more protective, even more profound

but it  is even more than that.  

It is more than hanging on

And more than just being carried,

More than being surrounded by love and grace

It is also being filled 

There is an old saying that goes this way. 

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.”

we are to be surrounded by Love

filled by love

moved by love

shaped by love

until we live love

until we live within that narrow way

that is just

love