4th Johnstide 2021, Beautiful Deeds

 Johnstide

Matthew 11:2-15 

When John heard in prison about the deeds of Christ, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" 

Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are awakened, and those who have become poor receive the message of salvation. Blessed are those who are not offended by my Being." 

When they had gone, Jesus began to speak about John. "Why did you go out into the desert? Did you want to see a reed swaying in the wind? Or was it something else you wanted to see? Did you want to see a man in splendid garments? Those in splendid garments are in the palaces of kings. Did you go to see a man who is initiated into the mysteries of the Spirit, a prophet? Yes, I say to you—he is more than a prophet. He it is of whom it is written:               

Behold, I will send my angel before your face;

He shall prepare the way of your working in human hearts

So that your Being may be revealed. 

"The truth I say to you: among all who are born of women, not one has risen up who is greater than John the Baptist, and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist, and even more, now, the kingdom of heaven is advancing and will arise within human beings through the power of the will; those who exert themselves can freely grasp it. The deeds of the prophets and the content of the Law are words of the Spirit that were valid [worked into the future] until the time of John. And if you want to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

4^th St. Johnstide

July 18, 2021

Matthew 11:2-15 

Sometimes one hears a parent telling a child not to do something which the parent themself is doing. It is a case of “Do what I say, not what I do.” However, children imitate, and we have to set a good example. We need to model and be the change we wish to see. 

In the reading today, Christ lays emphasis, not on talk, nor on affirmation, but on deeds. John sends to ask if Jesus is the Messiah, the expected new political leader, or great prophet. Christ Jesus does not say, ‘Of course I am’. He does not use self-affirmation or point to great teachings. He points to deeds accomplished on behalf of others. Through Him, human beings are cleansed, strengthened, and elevated. 

Christ further emphasizes that it is our own activity of will that moves humanity forward. Through energetic inner activity, the kingdom of the heavens will arise within human hearts. It is through the kingdom within that we ourselves are healed, strengthened and elevated. It is through the kingdom within that we can strengthen and elevate others.

The Buddha said, 

The perfume of sandalwood,

Stephen B. Whatley

the scent of rosebay and jasmine,

travel only as far as the wind.

 

But the fragrance of goodness

travels with us

through all the worlds.

 

Like garlands woven from a heap of flowers,

fashion your life

as a garland of beautiful deeds.*

 

*From the Dhammapada of the Buddha, translator unknown.

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