FALL IS HERE - SUMMER IS GONE
I haven’t written a word all summer - have been in BOAT MODE the whole time and it’s been great. The previous summer was all repair and trauma in preparation of going offshore. This last summer it was playing catch-up, just sailing, relaxing, sailing, reading, sailing, doing nothing. We were away from our home dock thirty-one nights. A very good season. Great for my head and spirit.
But now it’s fall. The SWAN OF TUONELA is on the winter dock. With shore power as there’s not enough solar power now for us. But more than the season has changed. Compared to six months ago it is a new time. And a new world. Ask anyone. We all know it. There has been no lack of issues for talk shows. The elections here and in the U.S. have even taken back seat to the basic changes in the economic systems of the world and the implications to all on the planet. We simply do not know what is happening and where we are going. Many are fearful. I’m not. In fact, I’m optomistic and pleased.
Why? Because what we are hopefully leaving is decades of abuse of the earth and the rule of rampant materialism. What the world has seen in the recent past is the unquestioned right of the wealthy to exploit. The rule of GREED had to be checked, and finally it did it to itself. Now, even in the hurt and fear that this change brings, we have the chance to look at the whole picture and make some choices. Most of us only change when we are hit with a good sized hammer. This is one of those times. If we fear, it is proof of our limited thinking, proof that we value monetary wealth over all else for what we fear is the possibility that we might not be able to accumulate that which we have come to believe was our right. We are fearful of losing money.
Are you fearful of losing money? I’m sorry for you. And hope that you can find something more important than money in your life.
As individuals, as groups and as humanigy we have the ability to see a larger and more real reality, to find good and life-revealing truths in this forced transformation. I have no doubt that this is one of the rare, world-wide events that is an ocassion and possibility for renewal, even for a true renaissance. After all, we DO have literally the knowledge and the abiltiy to deal with simply all and every problem the world faces. Only greed stands in the way. Wanting to live beyond our means (greed) has done us in and we have needed to be reined in for some time now. Now that it’s happened let’s have the wisdom and nerve to give thanks that it’s finally happened and in a way which won’t really be all that bad. Now it’s up to each and all of us to take the time to see our part in the old and dead WAY and to chose once more, but this time for LIFE.
I have fears. They are that we won’t chose for a new way but that we’ll try once more to flog the dead horse, truly, one or more of the horses of the apocolypse. If we continue to judge our lives by how much money we control, then the world and our grandchildren is doomed. Then the coming winter will be truly one of discontent and death. If we see things as they are and decide to take our parts in the world, and this time as an opportunity for new life, then we and the world will truly be blessed and the spring to come will be amazing in its gifts.
I’m more excited about the future than I’ve been for some time. If we do our parts, this time of crisis will be remembered as the advent of true hope and justice for all.
Think I’ll go sailing this weekend and enjoy the last of the great fall colours along the shore.
Have a good day. Anthony, as usual, sailing upwind
TO SENIORS re. THE STOCK MARKET LOSES
My finances are better than some of us; I have investments in the very low six digits to augment my C.C.P. and old age pension. I live on a boat which translates into pretty low rental costs. There is only room enough in my share of the hanging closet for six pair of pants at any one time and there isn’t room on board to store much stuff so we buy mostly needs and few wants. We don’t pay for any power costs for half the year because of our solar and wind set-up. But on the other hand we certainly aren’t in the top half. No real estate. Only some mutual funds.
And we too have lost about 30% of the value of the paper in the last few months. We also are bewildered at how the Canadian dollar can be valued so much below our huge but bankrupt and irresponsible neighbour to the south. Is anything in the financial world based on reality? The answer of course is, not much. The whole monetary system is a head trip, a matter of confidence. It rarely has to do with anything tangible. The only facts that count are the numbers placed in the system that are themselves the products of guesses, fear and greed.
At one time finances were tied to products of worth. The gold standard. Remember those days? They disappeared some time ago. Many of us didn’t realize it. So now we’re stuck with numbers that are relatively meaningless. What do we do? As seniors it would be so very easy to despair, for we’ve spent the last few decades looking forward (positively or fearfully) toward retirement and the accumulation of money was the beginning and the end of that preparation. Now it turns out that money is very questionable in itself.
If the amount of money we have in retirement remains the core value of how we retire, we are truly in deep dog duey. Get out the sack cloth, cover yourselves in ashes, hang your heads and cry a lament. Or we can get smart, and realize that in our lives money has never been the basis for happiness at any other stage of our lives, so why should we despair now, even though we may have one third less (pick any number here) as much as we had figured. How did we derive happiness before? What were the GOOD TIMES?
Chances are the best of our times were when we were sharing with others, trusting others, making do with what there was in common, caring and being cared for out of love and not for hire.
Why need we be so stupid as to think that these lessons of life do not apply to us now, merely because we are seniors? Were these lessons only for the young, for the unworldly, the ignorant? Or have we forgotten the important lessons of life and have been so caught up in the deadly materialism of our culture that we’ve painted ourselves into a no-win corner?
Is there any joy better than the joy of sharing and caring? Is there any confidence deeper than knowing that others will hold you and share with you what they have, in sickness and in health, whether richer or poorer? I’m not talking about marriage here, but life.
I have many friends, singled or partnered, who are wringing their hands about all the money they have lost. And they live in their debt free houses, moaning about the taxes and upkeep and being alone (lonely) most of the time. Were they raised this way? Of course not! That same house once sheltered six people or more. Aunt Gert came and spent her last twelve years with them before she died. And there were foster children in the sixties. And his father moved in with them after grandma died. But they (or she/he) are now all alone and complaining about so much, when they really do have so much. But only if it IS shared. If that house is not shared it remains a prison/reminder/handicap/worry.
Remember how we used to know how to share? Even today some people still do. (But they’re probably new Canadians trying to save money until they can get enough ahead to get their own huge houses so they also can grow old alone and worried). How easy it would be for senior centres to become agents/connectors for those with empty rooms and those who needed room? When some of us, especially in places like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton can simply not afford to rent even a one bedroom apartment, and many more of us are rattling around in a now too big house, it is simply stupid of us to not see some answers here. Sharing your home with one person would pay for the taxes. The second would pay for the upkeep. What would be the risk if the senior centre acted as contact and helper? Couldn’t it be a Win-Win? Why not give it a thought?
If we put our trust in the financial markets, we have gotten what we deserve. It is what every ancient teacher has said, from Jesus to Budha. It’s true. If we don’t re- learn to trust each other enough to give us a chance our lives truly have been lived in vain. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want that written on my tomb stone. So sure, I hate to see my savings and pension getting smaller. I guess I’ll have to just make sure my friendships get stronger. I do know that as unreliable as people are, my average neighbour is a hell of a lot more dependable and more sharing than the stock market. And a lot more fun.
Think about it. Do something about it. I doubt that you’ll lose 30% and you just might find that your life is a lot more fun and meaningful in the doing.
Anthony, as usual, sailing upwind
45)
SENIORS, TIME TO EARN SOME RESPECT
In writing some strong stuff to you of my generation, I hope you realize that I’m challenging myself as well. We’re in this together. Stay with me here for a bit and see if this makes any sense to you.
I’m tired of hearing many of us playing the old age card: “We’ve done our part. Now it’s time we took it easy. It’s someone else's turn now. I deserve a discount. I’ve put stuff in for all my life and now I should be able to just take it out.” There’s justification and even some justice in all of this and we each feel it. But we and even the whole world is paying a high price for this reasoning.
It sounds much like whining. And no one respects a whiner. One aspect of our culture is that as a group, seniors are not respected. In most of the earth’s cultures, the elders were the keepers of knowledge, of values, of wisdom, of the truths. The elders were the leaders. Not in our society. There are no doubt many reasons for this, but one cause for certain is the fact that most of us plan and hope and do, give up responsibility and leadership as we age. Success to us is reaching a state where all we have to do is spend money and become isolated from the rest of the world. And complain when we don’t get our way. I know I am overstating the case, but to most of the rest of society, when they think of the elderly, they certainly do not think of leadership, involvement and wisdom. And yet we wonder why we are not respected. As a generation, what is there about us to respect?
Isn’t the earth much worse off now than it was when we were young? Isn’t there a far greater disparity now between the few rich and the many poor? Can we say that humanity is any wiser because of us or because of what we have done? Are there fewer cases of genocide? Is the world better educated in the things that count? My grandfather was an avid gardener whose standard for success was by evaluating the soil; did it get better each year? The crops would vary with the weather but the soil, the basics should improve. A smart gardener will always improve the soil. You can’t take out more than you put in if you care for the future. Any wise person would use this rule to judge all portions of life. With this in mind, what do we zoomers/boomers/seniors deserve? Certainly not much respect as a whole. We can’t be surprised if our requests are given lip service only.
But wait! Why does it have to end like this? Look at us as a group. There has never before in history been a group that has had such a background of education, experience and wealth. And now we have some free time. There are alternatives to just taking it easy and worrying about losing our money. Imagine what a difference we could make, not only here, but to all the world, if we would actually recover some wisdom and begin to lead instead of retreat! At one time we were known as the generation with the ideals, not afraid to take on the world, who dared to dream and try new things. Along the way we bought into the stuff that was offered in the TV commercials, but deep inside of each of us there is still the spark of knowledge that there is a better way.
Now the world is in dire need of leadership to find that better way that will help us all to change direction. Now, finally, after all these years is the time to recover our wisdom and lead, to not retire but to retry. Just imagine what a difference it could make if most of us changed our wills to give even ten percent to meet the needs of the world, as opposed to giving it all to our descendents who will use it to buy more wants. I don’t mean just giving donations to local do-good stuff like churches and food banks. They want money but it rarely goes for more than wants. How about a real transfer of funds (power) to meet real needs, where people are literally dying or existing without the basics? Imagine if many of us would start voting for people and policies that were good for our grandchildren and not for our pension funds! Far too many of us now vote with our pocket books instead of our brains and hearts. Most Canadians under 22 voted GREEN. Tell me again why we aren’t? Imagine if our senior centres had some real stuff going on, were places of debate and action, not only bingo! Imagine if we began once more to earn some respect! If we can imagine it, we can do it.
As a generation we have the time, the money, the knowledge and the opportunity to do anything we want. We have no cause to gripe or to ask for more. We’ve really blown the first two thirds of our lives. We certainly don’t have to keep repeating the mistakes in our final third.
We can only make a difference if we start to work together, so talk about it in your groups. Start doing. Start listening. And let me know what happens. Use the many avenues of communication you have to share and start rumors. We’ll find that life is much more fun if we’re back in the conspiracy business to make a difference.
Peace. Anthony, as usual, sailing upwind
Monday, November 10, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Joining the Green Party
Joining the GREEN PARTY
Yesterday, around the world, people were encouraged to turn off the lights for an hour in an attempt to raise awareness of how our lifestyle is damaging our earth. Good job. But how feeble and small the attempt. Better than nothing, but barely.
Judy and I have recently joined the GREEN PARTY in the realization that the issue of our environment is really the only issue. All other problems and topics simply are not important unless our world is taken care of. We have voted for all of the main parties in the past. They all have good people and good ideas that make sense. But right now they simply do not stand for anything that counts.
The Conservative Party of Canada is laughable in its name because it clearly represents the interests of those who are least interested in conserving. What do they stand for? Making the wealthy more so, as far as I can see. What about the Liberal Party of Canada? They’re only purpose is getting elected. They will adopt any policy that they feel will get them votes. They claim to be the most ‘centered’ party and therefore the most meaningless. The N.D.P. have often gotten my support in the past but their focus on middle class families and jobs is putting the cart before the horse. If you don’t care for the earth, there will be no middle class.
What do the Greens say about education, economics, foreign policy, transportation, equalization payments or anything else? As far as I am concerned, they don’t have to have any definite policies in any specific areas other than to view and act on all issues through the lens of what is best for our world. That issue is the concrete of the foundation of all else. What is good for the world is good for all of us and what is good for all of us is good for the world. Protecting the poor and needy, urban development, trade practices, justice issues, all issues, can only take on their proper perspective when viewed in total with it’s place in the world and our environment. The Green Party of Canada is the only group that is trying to do this.
The four by-elections of a few weeks ago (I actually got off my butt and helped in one of them) showed that about 15 % of the people agree with me. Maybe we’ll wake up enough to allow the Green Party to take part in our public debates on TV. They (we) have as much support as the N.D.P. after all!
Not many of us think that enough M.P.s will actually be elected to form a government but that’s fine. Already the Green Party is getting enough votes to scare the politicians of the other parties and a scared politician is a good politician. When a few M.P.s are wearing green and the national numbers for support is around 20 %, them we’ll really start to see some uncommon sense and policy.
If you’re following my writings you know that for me, taking care of the world is an expression of my spiritual belief. But even if it wasn’t, I hope I would be smart enough to realize that it is also the best thing to do from purely a selfish motive. Continuing like we have been and putting up with government that seems powerless to DO anything meaningful in this most essential area, is just stupid. Whatever your motives, I encourage you do send out a small shock wave in the political arena and join the GREEN PARTY OF CANADA. There probably isn’t any more important thing you could do today. Or tomorrow.
All for now on March 30. Have a good day. Work and hope for a good tomorrow.
Anthony
Yesterday, around the world, people were encouraged to turn off the lights for an hour in an attempt to raise awareness of how our lifestyle is damaging our earth. Good job. But how feeble and small the attempt. Better than nothing, but barely.
Judy and I have recently joined the GREEN PARTY in the realization that the issue of our environment is really the only issue. All other problems and topics simply are not important unless our world is taken care of. We have voted for all of the main parties in the past. They all have good people and good ideas that make sense. But right now they simply do not stand for anything that counts.
The Conservative Party of Canada is laughable in its name because it clearly represents the interests of those who are least interested in conserving. What do they stand for? Making the wealthy more so, as far as I can see. What about the Liberal Party of Canada? They’re only purpose is getting elected. They will adopt any policy that they feel will get them votes. They claim to be the most ‘centered’ party and therefore the most meaningless. The N.D.P. have often gotten my support in the past but their focus on middle class families and jobs is putting the cart before the horse. If you don’t care for the earth, there will be no middle class.
What do the Greens say about education, economics, foreign policy, transportation, equalization payments or anything else? As far as I am concerned, they don’t have to have any definite policies in any specific areas other than to view and act on all issues through the lens of what is best for our world. That issue is the concrete of the foundation of all else. What is good for the world is good for all of us and what is good for all of us is good for the world. Protecting the poor and needy, urban development, trade practices, justice issues, all issues, can only take on their proper perspective when viewed in total with it’s place in the world and our environment. The Green Party of Canada is the only group that is trying to do this.
The four by-elections of a few weeks ago (I actually got off my butt and helped in one of them) showed that about 15 % of the people agree with me. Maybe we’ll wake up enough to allow the Green Party to take part in our public debates on TV. They (we) have as much support as the N.D.P. after all!
Not many of us think that enough M.P.s will actually be elected to form a government but that’s fine. Already the Green Party is getting enough votes to scare the politicians of the other parties and a scared politician is a good politician. When a few M.P.s are wearing green and the national numbers for support is around 20 %, them we’ll really start to see some uncommon sense and policy.
If you’re following my writings you know that for me, taking care of the world is an expression of my spiritual belief. But even if it wasn’t, I hope I would be smart enough to realize that it is also the best thing to do from purely a selfish motive. Continuing like we have been and putting up with government that seems powerless to DO anything meaningful in this most essential area, is just stupid. Whatever your motives, I encourage you do send out a small shock wave in the political arena and join the GREEN PARTY OF CANADA. There probably isn’t any more important thing you could do today. Or tomorrow.
All for now on March 30. Have a good day. Work and hope for a good tomorrow.
Anthony
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Tragedy of Palm Sunday
The Tragedy of GOOD FRIDAY
This coming weekend hundreds of millions of Christians around the world will celebrate Good Friday, that pivotal event when Jesus of Nazareth entered Jerusalem, being welcomed by cheering crowds as their Messiah. In tens of thousands of churches of most Christian denominations there will be hymns of triumph, children waving small palm branches (made in Sunday school of paper, or purchased for the occasion). It will definitely be a happy time and well attended, a great start to the traditional Holy Week which will, of course, end in Easter Sunday. This week holds the entire basis and reason for Christianity. Get this wrong and it’s a farce. That’s what we’re doing. Tragedy number one.
To help get it right let’s look at the event historically and with the knowledge and brains that we have been given. Jerusalem is a fortified city.
The Romans rule, have ruled in fact for about fifty years and have had a military presence for twenty years. The largest building inside the city is the Fortress Antonia, located just inside of and controlling the main gates. Next to the Fortress is the Temple - directly next to it, sharing a wall even. You can look down from the fortress wall directly into the temple grounds. There is a legion of soldiers stationed in the Roman fortress, one thousand of the best.
Since King Herod died, the land has been ruled by a governor appointed directly by Rome. This small land is so strategically located that its rule cannot be in any doubt. It’s present ruler is Pontius Pilate, one of Rome’s most able (read ruthless and cruel) administrators. He has been there for several years. Several years before this over three thousand unarmed men, women and children were massacred in front of the Temple when they came to peacefully demonstrate against the Standards of the Roman Legion that had been erected within the holy Temple grounds.
There are three ways to view the event that is celebrated on Palm Sunday. One, it is entirely a fabricated tale. Two, it was such a small and insignificant event that the Romans never even noticed it, just a few scragglers from out of town doing some shouting as they joined the others who were coming in for Passover celebrations. Three, it was a very large event indeed, one which the Romans chose not to challenge immediately. I believe the third is the truth.
The city of Jerusalem had a live-in population of about fourty thousand. At Passover, the population swelled to four or five times that, most of the people camping out in the surrounding hills. From all over the eastern Mediterranean Jews came, if they were able, to celebrate this most holy festival in the Holy City. A city that belonged only to God. A city sworn to pay no tribute to any other god. A city who now paid taxes to a tyrant in Rome who claimed to be a god. (It said so right on the Roman coins. To say, “Hail Caesar!” was indeed a statement of belief and worship.)
Revolution was not just a political choice or option. For the religious it was a necessity. For many and perhaps most of the Jews, it was just a matter of time before the Romans were thrown out. And also the matter of having a Messiah. There had to be one who was called by God to lead. One who was recognized as chosen.(the title ‘Messiah’ means ‘Anointed by God’) They would wait until there arose such a person, otherwise their efforts would be in vain. When he was found, they would follow him against the hated Romans, against all odds, knowing Yahweh would be with them.
But at the moment the odds WERE with them. There were only one thousand Romans soldiers, mainly hiding within the fortress walls. They were hardened and capable soldiers, but were not suicidal enough to come out and mingle with crowds that were so antagonistic, where there could be a sword or dagger under any robe.
And here was Jesus of Nazareth! Nobody had excited the people as much! He spoke out against the wealthy and proclaimed a kingdom of justice and love. There was healing and understanding of God’s Way. Surely he was the longed for Messiah!
At least twice before people had tried to get Jesus to declare himself to be the Messiah. He had roundly refused. When Peter had named him as the Messiah, Jesus had told him in the rudest New Testament language we have (cleaned up in translation) to shut up and never say it again. Yet his followers persisted. The people persisted. They simply could not evision God acting in any other way. The Romans must go. God would act by enabling a just and loving king (Messiah) to rule, a Son of David, a true Son of God, whose kingdom would dominate and bring good times to the People of God.
Try as he did, Jesus just could not make them understand that God’s WAY was not the way the people wanted. He had simply done all he could to make them see. He had failed. His closest, his disciples, argued among themselves who would have the most power, sit at his right hand, when Jesus came to the throne. Since they refused to understand his words, maybe they would understand if he showed them. How to show them? Become the Messiah and then reject it! That’s what he did.
Jesus allowed his followers to literally take over the city. Everything was planned out. It was not a secret. He WAS welcomed into the Holy City as the Messiah. In the traditional way, obvious to all. Especially, the Romans, who looked directly down on the procession from the Fortress Antonia. So, yes, there were crowds of people. They ARE cheering. Everyone is happy. But look closely at Jesus. Does he have his arms raised high? Is he beaming? Does he look victorious? You know he doesn’t. He isn’t. There are tears in his eyes. He knows what is to come. He knows what must lie ahead, what must happen before the people can begin to understand God’s WAY. Why couldn’t they be more aware? Why does this have to be part of his awareness? But the decision had been made, in Garden the night before. He knew that this was the only way. That is ministry would be meaningless if this wasn’t played out to the last. The die was cast. Here he was, gaining the throne of violence in order to reject it. So be it. Abba, thy will be done.
He entered the city gates, went to the Temple and literally closed it down, calling the High Priest a theif in the process. (The Roman Governor appointed the High Priest to the highest bidder - he and his family were Roman stuges.) The Romans fearfully waited behind their walls, wondering how long it would be before they would have to make a break for it. They were certainly too outnumbered to make a stand or to go on the offensive. For the time being, they would wait and hope for the best. These crazy Jews - You never know what is going to happen!
The the unexpected DID happen. That night, when he had the city in the palm of his hand, after sharing the traditional Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus just up and left the city! In doing so he rejected the palace, the crown, the way of the Messiah. He went back to his camp in the hills. To a place that was unprotected and easily accessible to a Roman commando raid a short time later.
What comes later is for later. What is for now is hopefully, an understanding of how the followers of Jesus saw what they wanted to see, how they ignored the message of Jesus and re-made him to suite themselves, how their blindness and stupidity killed him. That was tragedy enough. But we do the same. Even though we now have not only the words of Jesus, we have the lessons of his DOING, we repeat, again and again, the mistakes of those blind and stupid people. We turn Palm Sunday into a time of triumph and celebration. We dress up in our best, drive to church in our cars and SUVs, ignore what Jesus said and did and are content and even proud to claim him as our own. Be believe. And continue to support the ways of power, privilege and violence that enables us to live the way we are. Jesus is on our side. He MUST be. We simply cannot comprehend any other way.
What a tragedy! For us and for all the world. What needless waste of our lives of of the lives of others, now and for many tomorrows. That we should cling to our lies and yet claim to follow one who has so plainly shown us the WAY!
So, to all of those who are having (or had) a great Palm Sunday, I hope your good times make up just a little for the sorrow of Christ, the sorrow that his followers then and now are perpetuating and causing throughout the world.
Just once in while, though, take a moment to question your life, comparing it to the life of Christ. Look at Jesus. He is still weeping.
This coming weekend hundreds of millions of Christians around the world will celebrate Good Friday, that pivotal event when Jesus of Nazareth entered Jerusalem, being welcomed by cheering crowds as their Messiah. In tens of thousands of churches of most Christian denominations there will be hymns of triumph, children waving small palm branches (made in Sunday school of paper, or purchased for the occasion). It will definitely be a happy time and well attended, a great start to the traditional Holy Week which will, of course, end in Easter Sunday. This week holds the entire basis and reason for Christianity. Get this wrong and it’s a farce. That’s what we’re doing. Tragedy number one.
To help get it right let’s look at the event historically and with the knowledge and brains that we have been given. Jerusalem is a fortified city.
The Romans rule, have ruled in fact for about fifty years and have had a military presence for twenty years. The largest building inside the city is the Fortress Antonia, located just inside of and controlling the main gates. Next to the Fortress is the Temple - directly next to it, sharing a wall even. You can look down from the fortress wall directly into the temple grounds. There is a legion of soldiers stationed in the Roman fortress, one thousand of the best.
Since King Herod died, the land has been ruled by a governor appointed directly by Rome. This small land is so strategically located that its rule cannot be in any doubt. It’s present ruler is Pontius Pilate, one of Rome’s most able (read ruthless and cruel) administrators. He has been there for several years. Several years before this over three thousand unarmed men, women and children were massacred in front of the Temple when they came to peacefully demonstrate against the Standards of the Roman Legion that had been erected within the holy Temple grounds.
There are three ways to view the event that is celebrated on Palm Sunday. One, it is entirely a fabricated tale. Two, it was such a small and insignificant event that the Romans never even noticed it, just a few scragglers from out of town doing some shouting as they joined the others who were coming in for Passover celebrations. Three, it was a very large event indeed, one which the Romans chose not to challenge immediately. I believe the third is the truth.
The city of Jerusalem had a live-in population of about fourty thousand. At Passover, the population swelled to four or five times that, most of the people camping out in the surrounding hills. From all over the eastern Mediterranean Jews came, if they were able, to celebrate this most holy festival in the Holy City. A city that belonged only to God. A city sworn to pay no tribute to any other god. A city who now paid taxes to a tyrant in Rome who claimed to be a god. (It said so right on the Roman coins. To say, “Hail Caesar!” was indeed a statement of belief and worship.)
Revolution was not just a political choice or option. For the religious it was a necessity. For many and perhaps most of the Jews, it was just a matter of time before the Romans were thrown out. And also the matter of having a Messiah. There had to be one who was called by God to lead. One who was recognized as chosen.(the title ‘Messiah’ means ‘Anointed by God’) They would wait until there arose such a person, otherwise their efforts would be in vain. When he was found, they would follow him against the hated Romans, against all odds, knowing Yahweh would be with them.
But at the moment the odds WERE with them. There were only one thousand Romans soldiers, mainly hiding within the fortress walls. They were hardened and capable soldiers, but were not suicidal enough to come out and mingle with crowds that were so antagonistic, where there could be a sword or dagger under any robe.
And here was Jesus of Nazareth! Nobody had excited the people as much! He spoke out against the wealthy and proclaimed a kingdom of justice and love. There was healing and understanding of God’s Way. Surely he was the longed for Messiah!
At least twice before people had tried to get Jesus to declare himself to be the Messiah. He had roundly refused. When Peter had named him as the Messiah, Jesus had told him in the rudest New Testament language we have (cleaned up in translation) to shut up and never say it again. Yet his followers persisted. The people persisted. They simply could not evision God acting in any other way. The Romans must go. God would act by enabling a just and loving king (Messiah) to rule, a Son of David, a true Son of God, whose kingdom would dominate and bring good times to the People of God.
Try as he did, Jesus just could not make them understand that God’s WAY was not the way the people wanted. He had simply done all he could to make them see. He had failed. His closest, his disciples, argued among themselves who would have the most power, sit at his right hand, when Jesus came to the throne. Since they refused to understand his words, maybe they would understand if he showed them. How to show them? Become the Messiah and then reject it! That’s what he did.
Jesus allowed his followers to literally take over the city. Everything was planned out. It was not a secret. He WAS welcomed into the Holy City as the Messiah. In the traditional way, obvious to all. Especially, the Romans, who looked directly down on the procession from the Fortress Antonia. So, yes, there were crowds of people. They ARE cheering. Everyone is happy. But look closely at Jesus. Does he have his arms raised high? Is he beaming? Does he look victorious? You know he doesn’t. He isn’t. There are tears in his eyes. He knows what is to come. He knows what must lie ahead, what must happen before the people can begin to understand God’s WAY. Why couldn’t they be more aware? Why does this have to be part of his awareness? But the decision had been made, in Garden the night before. He knew that this was the only way. That is ministry would be meaningless if this wasn’t played out to the last. The die was cast. Here he was, gaining the throne of violence in order to reject it. So be it. Abba, thy will be done.
He entered the city gates, went to the Temple and literally closed it down, calling the High Priest a theif in the process. (The Roman Governor appointed the High Priest to the highest bidder - he and his family were Roman stuges.) The Romans fearfully waited behind their walls, wondering how long it would be before they would have to make a break for it. They were certainly too outnumbered to make a stand or to go on the offensive. For the time being, they would wait and hope for the best. These crazy Jews - You never know what is going to happen!
The the unexpected DID happen. That night, when he had the city in the palm of his hand, after sharing the traditional Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus just up and left the city! In doing so he rejected the palace, the crown, the way of the Messiah. He went back to his camp in the hills. To a place that was unprotected and easily accessible to a Roman commando raid a short time later.
What comes later is for later. What is for now is hopefully, an understanding of how the followers of Jesus saw what they wanted to see, how they ignored the message of Jesus and re-made him to suite themselves, how their blindness and stupidity killed him. That was tragedy enough. But we do the same. Even though we now have not only the words of Jesus, we have the lessons of his DOING, we repeat, again and again, the mistakes of those blind and stupid people. We turn Palm Sunday into a time of triumph and celebration. We dress up in our best, drive to church in our cars and SUVs, ignore what Jesus said and did and are content and even proud to claim him as our own. Be believe. And continue to support the ways of power, privilege and violence that enables us to live the way we are. Jesus is on our side. He MUST be. We simply cannot comprehend any other way.
What a tragedy! For us and for all the world. What needless waste of our lives of of the lives of others, now and for many tomorrows. That we should cling to our lies and yet claim to follow one who has so plainly shown us the WAY!
So, to all of those who are having (or had) a great Palm Sunday, I hope your good times make up just a little for the sorrow of Christ, the sorrow that his followers then and now are perpetuating and causing throughout the world.
Just once in while, though, take a moment to question your life, comparing it to the life of Christ. Look at Jesus. He is still weeping.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Our Three Temptations - And Christ's
The THREE TEMPTATIONS OF CHRIST - AND US
I am visiting dear friends in Prince George. Yesterday was the first Sunday in Lent and we attended mass at their neighbourhood Catholic church. Without going into detail I am pleased to share that the experience was a good one. I was certainly uplifted in general but then again, I was not challenged.
The main text was the story of Jesus going into the desert after his baptism where he was tempted three times: Firstly, to make bread from rocks; Secondly, to fling himself from the top of the temple wall in Jerusalem in the knowledge that God would save him, and Thirdly, that all the kingdoms of the world would be under his power if he would but worship the Devil.
The priest did a usual ho-hum talk about how we need to lead good lives of moderation and belief. He missed a great chance to proclaim God’s Word for our time.
Here we are, looking forward to the substance and centre of the Christian belief. Lent is the best chance to re-discover and claim for our own the message that has changed the lives of so many. In the hope of entering into the story for ourselves, that we might understand it, let’s take a closer look.
The setting of the text couldn’t be more clear. Jesus has just been baptized, making the first hard choice toward faithfulness. He has declared publically what he was leaving and to what he was going. Baptism then was a sign and symbol of repentance, of the decision to lead a new life that was directed to and by God’s challenging love and justice.
After this decision came a time of testing. This is always the way. The hardest steps are the first ones. The greatest temptations are met at the start of any journey. One never realizes the challenges of change until the first steps are taken. As it still is today, choosing to follow the way of God for Jesus went against the things and assumptions that popular knowledge held to be true. The three temptations of Christ were symbolized these three precisely.
What are the three things we wish for? Ask anyone, now or then. The answers are the same: wealth, fame and power. Isn’t this what we assume will make us happy? Isn’t that what the commercials tells us? Isn’t that the basis of our decisions regarding our vocations and future, our savings and career choices? Aren’t these three the objects of most of what rules our present society? There is no doubt. Although these three objectives may not have the same power in Jesus’ time, they were as real in their coercive tempting then as they are now.
Books could be written about each one, about how we rationalize our daily surrender to these temptations, as a culture, nation, church and as individuals. What could be wrong with wealth? Couldn’t we then use it for the cause of GOOD? Couldn’t my loved ones use some more stuff? And why not be famous? Wouldn’t that enable us to be more affective for GOOD? And of course we could use a little more power! We would be more affective in doing good for everybody/family/church/country/ (add what ever you want). What seductive arguments, each with just enough truth to seduce.
Jesus certainly became famous in his small place. He even had influence and power. But there is absolutely no doubt that he did not seek any of the three for their own sakes. They may have been granted him by others. But he always gave them away, the same as he gave wealth away. He reserved his harshest criticism for his followers who tried to increase their popularity and/or power.
He was not only spiritually wise, he was smart. He knew and tried to tell/show his followers how destructive, unhealthy and unloving a life would be if based on any of these desires. To be part of God, to claim ‘heirship’ as a child of God, to seek for growth, to become healthy, wise or happy, how ever we think of things, we must react to the temptations as did Jesus of Nazareth. We simply cannot change, cannot grow, cannot be happy, cannot help the world or others, unless we categorically reject wealth, fame and power.
And thereby, paradoxically, we will find true wealth, recognition and true power. This is not just pie-in-the-sky stuff, but real, identifiable, measurable and an irrefutable fact. But you have to ask the questions. You (we) have to recognize the dozens of ways we are tempted by assumptions and systems that surround us. Wouldn’t it be great if it were as easy for us as in the gospel story, to be led into the desert and to have the Devil tempt us, to have it over in a mere fourty days?. All we would have to do is say NO three times and that would be that. But no such luck. We have been blessed/cursed by living in a culture that has been so ruled by the forces of POWER, WEALTH AND FAME that we don’t even recognize them as temptations. For us they are merely the facts of life. We will always be tempted. We have to say NO many times.
In the Christian traditions we have six weeks to choose our baptisms as our own, again, to choose again to be faithful to God’s Call, to see clearly enough to recognize the tempting forces that will stop us right where we are if we let them. What a temptation, to continue as we are, seeking wealth, fame and power, and still believe in our spare time. We can root for Jesus and cheer him as he goes into his ministry. We can vote for him and urge him to go on to Jerusalem. We might even accompany him from time to time. But go in with him? No Way! We’ll be quite all right believing in Him and living in the “real” world.
If we don’t believe in any faith, we can do the same, remaining in the mainstream of our society but believing that there really is a better way, but not caring enough about ourself or anything else to stop long enough to take a better way seriously.
But in the doing, we’ll not grow, not learn, not risk, remain as unhappy and dissatisfied with life as ever. The world and all around us will get worse and so will we and our loved ones.
Don’t put it off another year. Let this Lent become a time you will never forget, the time you chose to take seriously what you have theoretically agreed with for so long. If you don’t care about Lent, think of it as a good thing to do as Spring approaches. A step toward new life. For just once, allow what you really know and believe to dictate what you do, how you live, how you spend, who you talk to, what you see and what you say. Start to live in love and not fear.
I am visiting dear friends in Prince George. Yesterday was the first Sunday in Lent and we attended mass at their neighbourhood Catholic church. Without going into detail I am pleased to share that the experience was a good one. I was certainly uplifted in general but then again, I was not challenged.
The main text was the story of Jesus going into the desert after his baptism where he was tempted three times: Firstly, to make bread from rocks; Secondly, to fling himself from the top of the temple wall in Jerusalem in the knowledge that God would save him, and Thirdly, that all the kingdoms of the world would be under his power if he would but worship the Devil.
The priest did a usual ho-hum talk about how we need to lead good lives of moderation and belief. He missed a great chance to proclaim God’s Word for our time.
Here we are, looking forward to the substance and centre of the Christian belief. Lent is the best chance to re-discover and claim for our own the message that has changed the lives of so many. In the hope of entering into the story for ourselves, that we might understand it, let’s take a closer look.
The setting of the text couldn’t be more clear. Jesus has just been baptized, making the first hard choice toward faithfulness. He has declared publically what he was leaving and to what he was going. Baptism then was a sign and symbol of repentance, of the decision to lead a new life that was directed to and by God’s challenging love and justice.
After this decision came a time of testing. This is always the way. The hardest steps are the first ones. The greatest temptations are met at the start of any journey. One never realizes the challenges of change until the first steps are taken. As it still is today, choosing to follow the way of God for Jesus went against the things and assumptions that popular knowledge held to be true. The three temptations of Christ were symbolized these three precisely.
What are the three things we wish for? Ask anyone, now or then. The answers are the same: wealth, fame and power. Isn’t this what we assume will make us happy? Isn’t that what the commercials tells us? Isn’t that the basis of our decisions regarding our vocations and future, our savings and career choices? Aren’t these three the objects of most of what rules our present society? There is no doubt. Although these three objectives may not have the same power in Jesus’ time, they were as real in their coercive tempting then as they are now.
Books could be written about each one, about how we rationalize our daily surrender to these temptations, as a culture, nation, church and as individuals. What could be wrong with wealth? Couldn’t we then use it for the cause of GOOD? Couldn’t my loved ones use some more stuff? And why not be famous? Wouldn’t that enable us to be more affective for GOOD? And of course we could use a little more power! We would be more affective in doing good for everybody/family/church/country/ (add what ever you want). What seductive arguments, each with just enough truth to seduce.
Jesus certainly became famous in his small place. He even had influence and power. But there is absolutely no doubt that he did not seek any of the three for their own sakes. They may have been granted him by others. But he always gave them away, the same as he gave wealth away. He reserved his harshest criticism for his followers who tried to increase their popularity and/or power.
He was not only spiritually wise, he was smart. He knew and tried to tell/show his followers how destructive, unhealthy and unloving a life would be if based on any of these desires. To be part of God, to claim ‘heirship’ as a child of God, to seek for growth, to become healthy, wise or happy, how ever we think of things, we must react to the temptations as did Jesus of Nazareth. We simply cannot change, cannot grow, cannot be happy, cannot help the world or others, unless we categorically reject wealth, fame and power.
And thereby, paradoxically, we will find true wealth, recognition and true power. This is not just pie-in-the-sky stuff, but real, identifiable, measurable and an irrefutable fact. But you have to ask the questions. You (we) have to recognize the dozens of ways we are tempted by assumptions and systems that surround us. Wouldn’t it be great if it were as easy for us as in the gospel story, to be led into the desert and to have the Devil tempt us, to have it over in a mere fourty days?. All we would have to do is say NO three times and that would be that. But no such luck. We have been blessed/cursed by living in a culture that has been so ruled by the forces of POWER, WEALTH AND FAME that we don’t even recognize them as temptations. For us they are merely the facts of life. We will always be tempted. We have to say NO many times.
In the Christian traditions we have six weeks to choose our baptisms as our own, again, to choose again to be faithful to God’s Call, to see clearly enough to recognize the tempting forces that will stop us right where we are if we let them. What a temptation, to continue as we are, seeking wealth, fame and power, and still believe in our spare time. We can root for Jesus and cheer him as he goes into his ministry. We can vote for him and urge him to go on to Jerusalem. We might even accompany him from time to time. But go in with him? No Way! We’ll be quite all right believing in Him and living in the “real” world.
If we don’t believe in any faith, we can do the same, remaining in the mainstream of our society but believing that there really is a better way, but not caring enough about ourself or anything else to stop long enough to take a better way seriously.
But in the doing, we’ll not grow, not learn, not risk, remain as unhappy and dissatisfied with life as ever. The world and all around us will get worse and so will we and our loved ones.
Don’t put it off another year. Let this Lent become a time you will never forget, the time you chose to take seriously what you have theoretically agreed with for so long. If you don’t care about Lent, think of it as a good thing to do as Spring approaches. A step toward new life. For just once, allow what you really know and believe to dictate what you do, how you live, how you spend, who you talk to, what you see and what you say. Start to live in love and not fear.
What are Our Society's Values? - Terrorists
WHAT ARE OUR VALUES? / TERRORISTS
If our culture gathers around the Super Bowl more than any other event, it could very well be argued that we value nothing more than what is basically a collection of youngish millionaires getting paid to push/carry/throw a ball from one end of a field to another. What do we value as a society? I know we say a lot of things, but show me something we value more than sports or our appearance. Do we value our religious beliefs? More Americans watched the Super Bowl game yesterday than attended worship. We spend far more on cosmetics than we give to churches or to the poor. When we use any standard, our culture , without a doubt, has, for its main value,the desire to accumulate and spend wealth, and goes to great trouble ignoring anything else.
Look at The Antique Road Show on TV. Here people bring their antiques to experts to find out the history and story of items. There is no doubt that the most important aspect to most is the evaluation of the item at the end. That alone gets a real reaction from the folks. The background of the piece may be nice. The fact that it might be worth many times what was originally paid is fantastic.
On the news this morning was a tragic story of a family in the eastern U.S. where the fourteen year-old boy killed his siblings and parents, shot them with his father’s hand gun. In no way am I blaming this tragedy on the Super Bowl, but can we be surprised if happenings like this occurr even more frequently in a culture that has such a values vacuum?
We have deluded ourselves in thinking that we value freedom, especially those of us in the U.S. That is obviously garbage to anyone outside of America. Most non North Americans can see the obvious, that we are a people nearly bankrupt of all positive values. As such, we export our value-less-ness and are threatened by other cultures or attitudes that DO have values.
Let me ask a question of you. For what would you die? What to you is more important than life? Is there a cause, an ideal, a movement, a hope, for which you would lay down your life? I truly hope there is. If so, you are rare indeed.
For many hundreds of millions of people outside our culture, they simply would not believe you if you answered in the affirmative. They believe what they see, what they have experienced. And they see us building and perpetuating a system that clearly has no value other than the accumulation of wealth, taken from the people and the earth and directed toward the already rich.
And we are so blind and stupid as to be astonished when there is a reaction from those of other cultures? We really DO expect others to be as valueless as we are! When others question our ways we write them off as being old-fashioned, ignorant or hopelessly idealistic. When others voluntarily give there lives to strike a blow, however small, at our way of life, especially by blowing themselves and a few symbolic others to pieces, we call them terrorists and in the naming we place them in a category that includes the mentally insane, misguided, delusional, nameless, worthless ‘other’ people. We are really frightened when someone acts, really DOES something for a cause that we would never do for any cause. The very fact that some people think that there are some things bigger and more important than life, scares us.
What else scares us? Nothing scares us more than a possible stock market crash. We are that separated from reality, to values shared with most of humanity. We clearly don't value our health, judging at how we self abuse. We clearly don’t value the earth, since we are wrecking it so much. We don’t value future generations since we have no compunctions to leaving them so little resources and so much of a mess. How can we possibly be surprised when those of other ideologies and cultures feel strongly enough to give their lives in the hopes that things might be changed?
I think it very strange that there aren’t more so-called suicide bombers. I bet that security was tight at the Super Bowl on Sunday. If I had wanted to make a statement against this stupid and evil culture, that’s where I would have headed. I’m a disciple of a pacifist so don’t worry about me. I do what I believe and I don’t believe in killing. The point I’m trying to share is that the event of Sunday was as worthy of attention as were the twin towers. Let’s see things as they are. Let's not be surprised with there are those who give their lives to stop us when we, by living the way we do, are taking the lives of so many, not only today, but for generations to come. Just who is committing suicide here, anyway?
“Names are used for calling when there’s nothing more to say.” - Gordon Lightfoot
Freedom: Nothing left to lose. - Chris Kristopherson
If our culture gathers around the Super Bowl more than any other event, it could very well be argued that we value nothing more than what is basically a collection of youngish millionaires getting paid to push/carry/throw a ball from one end of a field to another. What do we value as a society? I know we say a lot of things, but show me something we value more than sports or our appearance. Do we value our religious beliefs? More Americans watched the Super Bowl game yesterday than attended worship. We spend far more on cosmetics than we give to churches or to the poor. When we use any standard, our culture , without a doubt, has, for its main value,the desire to accumulate and spend wealth, and goes to great trouble ignoring anything else.
Look at The Antique Road Show on TV. Here people bring their antiques to experts to find out the history and story of items. There is no doubt that the most important aspect to most is the evaluation of the item at the end. That alone gets a real reaction from the folks. The background of the piece may be nice. The fact that it might be worth many times what was originally paid is fantastic.
On the news this morning was a tragic story of a family in the eastern U.S. where the fourteen year-old boy killed his siblings and parents, shot them with his father’s hand gun. In no way am I blaming this tragedy on the Super Bowl, but can we be surprised if happenings like this occurr even more frequently in a culture that has such a values vacuum?
We have deluded ourselves in thinking that we value freedom, especially those of us in the U.S. That is obviously garbage to anyone outside of America. Most non North Americans can see the obvious, that we are a people nearly bankrupt of all positive values. As such, we export our value-less-ness and are threatened by other cultures or attitudes that DO have values.
Let me ask a question of you. For what would you die? What to you is more important than life? Is there a cause, an ideal, a movement, a hope, for which you would lay down your life? I truly hope there is. If so, you are rare indeed.
For many hundreds of millions of people outside our culture, they simply would not believe you if you answered in the affirmative. They believe what they see, what they have experienced. And they see us building and perpetuating a system that clearly has no value other than the accumulation of wealth, taken from the people and the earth and directed toward the already rich.
And we are so blind and stupid as to be astonished when there is a reaction from those of other cultures? We really DO expect others to be as valueless as we are! When others question our ways we write them off as being old-fashioned, ignorant or hopelessly idealistic. When others voluntarily give there lives to strike a blow, however small, at our way of life, especially by blowing themselves and a few symbolic others to pieces, we call them terrorists and in the naming we place them in a category that includes the mentally insane, misguided, delusional, nameless, worthless ‘other’ people. We are really frightened when someone acts, really DOES something for a cause that we would never do for any cause. The very fact that some people think that there are some things bigger and more important than life, scares us.
What else scares us? Nothing scares us more than a possible stock market crash. We are that separated from reality, to values shared with most of humanity. We clearly don't value our health, judging at how we self abuse. We clearly don’t value the earth, since we are wrecking it so much. We don’t value future generations since we have no compunctions to leaving them so little resources and so much of a mess. How can we possibly be surprised when those of other ideologies and cultures feel strongly enough to give their lives in the hopes that things might be changed?
I think it very strange that there aren’t more so-called suicide bombers. I bet that security was tight at the Super Bowl on Sunday. If I had wanted to make a statement against this stupid and evil culture, that’s where I would have headed. I’m a disciple of a pacifist so don’t worry about me. I do what I believe and I don’t believe in killing. The point I’m trying to share is that the event of Sunday was as worthy of attention as were the twin towers. Let’s see things as they are. Let's not be surprised with there are those who give their lives to stop us when we, by living the way we do, are taking the lives of so many, not only today, but for generations to come. Just who is committing suicide here, anyway?
“Names are used for calling when there’s nothing more to say.” - Gordon Lightfoot
Freedom: Nothing left to lose. - Chris Kristopherson
On the Super Bowl
THOUGHTS ON THE ‘SUPER BOWL’
Like tens of millions of others, there I was, yesterday at 6:00 eastern standard time, eating and drinking with friends in front of a huge TV, getting ready to watch the SUPER BOWL. I actually had seen part of the previous play-off games so I knew what teams were playing and the rough history behind the game, but me, a football fan? NOT! Some good friends were putting on the party so Judy and I were glad to attend and contribute to the fun. But we certainly didn’t care who won.
But Damn! Within a half an hour, there I was, as enthralled as the best (worst?) of them, whooping it up in favour of the New York Giants. Why not the Patriots? No reason at all, except that I’m usually in favour of the underdogs.
There’s no doubt that it was a great game. Good entertainment right up to the last second. But later, when I had a chance to digest the whole thing, I tried to figure out what it was that really made it so fun to watch. The outcome certainly wasn’t important in any real way, to me or to most of the other millions who watched. O sure, we had a betting pool going and someone won twenty or thirty bucks. There were certainly millions of dollars, maybe billions, changing hands over the outcome, but for most of us, betting was merely a way to increase the excitement.
It was not a spiritual matter. It was not a family matter, nor a national one like a World Cup Soccer match would have been. For the players and team, it was personal, kind of, but the pride and bragging rights were well encased with money. And six million dollars per half a minute per TV commercial time? There’s no doubt as to the reason for the whole affair.
Isn’t this symbolic of everything I’m against? How could I even attend in good conciounce? But there I was! And I’d do it again. Next year for sure.
I think the fact that it is basically meaningless is the very reason it is popular. There is no way that anybody will be offended. There is absolutely nothing there of value. The day is based upon pure materialism and frivolity, a show piece to parade the biggest and fasted and richest of our little boys who have spent their lives moving a little ball down a big field, thinking that it was the most important thing in the whole world. And for a few hours we are united in the hope that this lie is true. For that short time there is no more important purpose. No Truth. No better Way. No needy whose dying eyes and streching arms ask us to change. No earth in need of justice and clean air. Just millionair gladiators with their little ball. Pure escape. God knows, I needed it. The Romans had their circus’, we have sports. Great stuff!
As long as we don’t take it seriously.
Like tens of millions of others, there I was, yesterday at 6:00 eastern standard time, eating and drinking with friends in front of a huge TV, getting ready to watch the SUPER BOWL. I actually had seen part of the previous play-off games so I knew what teams were playing and the rough history behind the game, but me, a football fan? NOT! Some good friends were putting on the party so Judy and I were glad to attend and contribute to the fun. But we certainly didn’t care who won.
But Damn! Within a half an hour, there I was, as enthralled as the best (worst?) of them, whooping it up in favour of the New York Giants. Why not the Patriots? No reason at all, except that I’m usually in favour of the underdogs.
There’s no doubt that it was a great game. Good entertainment right up to the last second. But later, when I had a chance to digest the whole thing, I tried to figure out what it was that really made it so fun to watch. The outcome certainly wasn’t important in any real way, to me or to most of the other millions who watched. O sure, we had a betting pool going and someone won twenty or thirty bucks. There were certainly millions of dollars, maybe billions, changing hands over the outcome, but for most of us, betting was merely a way to increase the excitement.
It was not a spiritual matter. It was not a family matter, nor a national one like a World Cup Soccer match would have been. For the players and team, it was personal, kind of, but the pride and bragging rights were well encased with money. And six million dollars per half a minute per TV commercial time? There’s no doubt as to the reason for the whole affair.
Isn’t this symbolic of everything I’m against? How could I even attend in good conciounce? But there I was! And I’d do it again. Next year for sure.
I think the fact that it is basically meaningless is the very reason it is popular. There is no way that anybody will be offended. There is absolutely nothing there of value. The day is based upon pure materialism and frivolity, a show piece to parade the biggest and fasted and richest of our little boys who have spent their lives moving a little ball down a big field, thinking that it was the most important thing in the whole world. And for a few hours we are united in the hope that this lie is true. For that short time there is no more important purpose. No Truth. No better Way. No needy whose dying eyes and streching arms ask us to change. No earth in need of justice and clean air. Just millionair gladiators with their little ball. Pure escape. God knows, I needed it. The Romans had their circus’, we have sports. Great stuff!
As long as we don’t take it seriously.
The Jubillee Movement?
THE JUBILEE MOVEMENT January 31
As you know by now, words and names are important to me. They may be temporary and approximate, but they are helpful and often necessary for a time. I have been looking/searching for a name/concept, that is close to what my heart says my goal/calling is all about. For now I have found something that seems to fit.
The ancient Jews had a tradition of the Year of Jubilee, where every 49 (seven times seven) years most things were forgiven and set back to square one. Slaves were set free. Debts were forgiven. Land went back to the original families. Those working off debts could go home. Boundaries were re-established. This was to ensure that the wealthy could not go without limits, that there was at least hope for the children of slaves, that the accumulation of wealth would not forever be on the backs of the poor.
Historically, it is very doubtful if the tradition was ever actually practiced, certainly never in total. But the ideal was there. People knew what aught to happen, even if it didn’t. Because the wealthy always ruled, then as now, it was given lip service only. You can imagine what the reaction would be if someone had actually tried to enforce it. Here or anywhere else. In any time. No matter what so-called- tradition was on record.
The trouble was, it seems like Jesus of Nazareth took the whole idea seriously. In the Gospel we call Luke it is his first action in public ministry. He reads from Isaiah about the year of Jubilee (translated often as ‘The Acceptable Year of God’) and states, “This is the Year!” It’s no wonder he didn’t live long after that. All but the poor would have been correctly threatened by his intentions.
But what a concept! To return things to a way of justice and equity. To try to right the wrongs. To change direction. Really! Not to merely believe that it would be a good idea, something nice to pray about, but to really DO.
A JUBILEE MOVEMENT! Think about it. Is it a good name? It sounds happy to me. A good thing to consider. Not too scary. (Not until you start to actually move on it!) Sounds like fun. I think I’ll join!
“The world’s great religions, as they are now, are unable to cope with the almost overwhelming challenge presented by what we have done and are doing to the earth.” - Tom Harper
“People are very, very hungry for some kind of contact with a world greater than the one which they can immediately perceive.” - Robertson Davies
“Without VISION, the people perish.” - Jewish proverb
As you know by now, words and names are important to me. They may be temporary and approximate, but they are helpful and often necessary for a time. I have been looking/searching for a name/concept, that is close to what my heart says my goal/calling is all about. For now I have found something that seems to fit.
The ancient Jews had a tradition of the Year of Jubilee, where every 49 (seven times seven) years most things were forgiven and set back to square one. Slaves were set free. Debts were forgiven. Land went back to the original families. Those working off debts could go home. Boundaries were re-established. This was to ensure that the wealthy could not go without limits, that there was at least hope for the children of slaves, that the accumulation of wealth would not forever be on the backs of the poor.
Historically, it is very doubtful if the tradition was ever actually practiced, certainly never in total. But the ideal was there. People knew what aught to happen, even if it didn’t. Because the wealthy always ruled, then as now, it was given lip service only. You can imagine what the reaction would be if someone had actually tried to enforce it. Here or anywhere else. In any time. No matter what so-called- tradition was on record.
The trouble was, it seems like Jesus of Nazareth took the whole idea seriously. In the Gospel we call Luke it is his first action in public ministry. He reads from Isaiah about the year of Jubilee (translated often as ‘The Acceptable Year of God’) and states, “This is the Year!” It’s no wonder he didn’t live long after that. All but the poor would have been correctly threatened by his intentions.
But what a concept! To return things to a way of justice and equity. To try to right the wrongs. To change direction. Really! Not to merely believe that it would be a good idea, something nice to pray about, but to really DO.
A JUBILEE MOVEMENT! Think about it. Is it a good name? It sounds happy to me. A good thing to consider. Not too scary. (Not until you start to actually move on it!) Sounds like fun. I think I’ll join!
“The world’s great religions, as they are now, are unable to cope with the almost overwhelming challenge presented by what we have done and are doing to the earth.” - Tom Harper
“People are very, very hungry for some kind of contact with a world greater than the one which they can immediately perceive.” - Robertson Davies
“Without VISION, the people perish.” - Jewish proverb
Small, Personal Steps of Conversion
Judy and I are now making decisions based upon wants and needs. It’s not hard. But we started some years ago so it’s been a gradual process. We decided we didn’t need the house, so we sold it. We’ve given some money away and are trying to pay down debts to reach that freedom of thought that only comes without them. We had planned on sailing round Cuba this spring with a friend but canceled. It was a want. I hope to sail across the Atlantic this summer with a friend - a need. I took my van off the road and am now only using a bike and the T.T.C. It was hard to give away that power. But it feels good and I’m keeping in better shape because of the biking. A real win-win decision.
Life has never been better. Choices are so much more fun and even easier to make. I bought Judy a nice hat yesterday. It was definitely a want. A want on my part more than hers. I recognized it for what it was and it made it the more special. We can all live with so much less than we’re supposed to! It feels so good to laugh at the adds on TV. And it seems even sadder to see people taking them right in. And seeing the children being raised as they are.
But my life has never been so good!
Not that I'm suggesting that any others need to make the specific choices we have. It would benefit few if five million people in the Toronto area decided to live on boats! But I hope others will learn to live asking the same questions. What are needs and what are merely wants? And give away most of the money (power) saved to help meet real needs of others. Believe me, it is the only way to really live!
“Do not wear yourself out trying to get rich.” - Jewish proverb
“We may not all be guilty, but we are all responsible.” - Neil Bissonbath
Life has never been better. Choices are so much more fun and even easier to make. I bought Judy a nice hat yesterday. It was definitely a want. A want on my part more than hers. I recognized it for what it was and it made it the more special. We can all live with so much less than we’re supposed to! It feels so good to laugh at the adds on TV. And it seems even sadder to see people taking them right in. And seeing the children being raised as they are.
But my life has never been so good!
Not that I'm suggesting that any others need to make the specific choices we have. It would benefit few if five million people in the Toronto area decided to live on boats! But I hope others will learn to live asking the same questions. What are needs and what are merely wants? And give away most of the money (power) saved to help meet real needs of others. Believe me, it is the only way to really live!
“Do not wear yourself out trying to get rich.” - Jewish proverb
“We may not all be guilty, but we are all responsible.” - Neil Bissonbath
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