Reflection

Originally posted one year ago in March 2021, I believe this post is worth another reading.  tVM.

This is the time of the year when many people of many faiths attune themselves to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, what Catholics refer to as the three pillars of Lent.  Regardless of your religious and spiritual persuasion, this is a time when each of us can reflect upon exactly what it is that we do believe.

As Easter approaches, I reflect on my personal credo…

I believe there is a Creator that set the universe in motion.
I believe Jesus to be his human incarnation.
I believe Jesus was the Creator incarnate for a single purpose: to be an example for human beings on how to live life in harmony with all of creation.
I believe I am called to emulate Jesus, not to venerate Jesus.

That is what I believe.  That is my personal credo.

Some say his beatitudes embody Jesus’ teachings.  I will not argue that, but I favor one story in particular of his many stories and two of his actions to be at the heart of the example he sets for the human race, and by keeping that story and those actions always in mind, our chances of making better choices and making the world a better place to be, are greatly enhanced.  They define how to best relate to all of creation.  Perhaps, they form the three pillars that explain why I believe what I believe.

If you are not familiar with the story Jesus tells of the good Samaritan, you can find it in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 25-37.  In brief, a traveler is waylaid, beaten and robbed and left to die on the side of the road.  Though many ‘good’ people pass by the beaten man, only one, a Samaritan comes to his aid.  The Samaritan’s actions can be described in many ways, but I believe the story emphasizes the fact that we are all family and indeed, we are our brother’s keeper.  In fact, we are stewards of Earth… all life matters and we are responsible for it.

Jesus turned the world upside down and redefined human relationships in his encounter with the adulterous woman.  You can find it in the Gospel of John, chapter 8, verses 1-18.  Jesus confronts a woman who has been caught in the act of adultery.  The authorities prepare to stone her in accordance with the law.  When asked how he would handle the situation, Jesus suggests that the person in the crowd without sin should cast the first stone.  That simple suggestion changes each of us from being the judge of another person’s actions to a judge of our own, and it defines unconditional love whereby we acknowledge that we are all created ‘good,’ and although each of us has faults and shortcomings, and each of us makes bad choices, we are all worthy of love, and therefore forgiveness.  “Neither do I condemn you.  Go your way and sin no more!”

Of his many acts of courage and love during his final days and hours on earth, I believe the single most important one was Jesus’ willingness – even more, his compulsion – to wash the feet of his close friends and followers at the final meal they shared.  That action perfectly exemplifies our role in life as human beings:  we are here to serve, not to be served.  We are here to serve each other and to care for the planet we inhabit.  We are the stewards of Earth, not its masters.  There can be no greater achievement than to serve our brothers and sisters and all creation with the humility it takes to wash another man’s feet.

As we prepare for the Christian Holy Week, keep Jesus’ words and examples foremost in your mind.

We are our brother’s keeper.

Each of us makes bad choices, but we are all worthy of love and forgiveness.

Serve each other and care for the earth with humility.

Mitakuye Oyasin