4th Johnstide 2022, His Great Heart

Johnstide

Matthew 11:2-15 

Master of Astorga, John in Prison

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 Johnstide

June 17, 2022

Matthew 11: 2-15 

This gospel reading teaches us about remembering and forgetting. 

John the Baptist had seen the Spirit of Christ descend like a dove upon Jesus of Nazareth and remain there. He repeatedly witnessed and spoke of the importance of this new divine-human spiritual constellation in Jesus. Yet now in prison, John seems to have forgotten what he knew. Or perhaps it was a question of expectations. 

Marie Lavie, John the Baptist

"Are you the Messiah who is to come, or shall we expect someone else?" he asks.

Meanwhile, Christ has not forgotten who John is. He honors him, his forerunner, his baptizer, and his spiritual brother. Furthermore, he can speak of John's significance, the meaning of John's life and stature, seen both from earthly and heavenly perspectives. 

John, imprisoned both in an outer dungeon and in a failing bodily instrument, approaches his death, his sleep, and his forgetting. Christ embraces and holds John's being in his divine-human consciousness. Christ knows who John truly is, not only in this lifetime but in the previous—"He is Elijah who is to come"*. He knows who John will be in the future. And Christ holds in safekeeping John's true, eternal identity, the identity, which survives forgetting, and death, which moves from life to life. 

Christ is the keeper, the shepherd of our true selves. He carries them in his great heart, holding them in his great all-embracing consciousness. He holds them against the day when in beholding and recognizing him, in experiencing his great I AM, we will also recognize and remember ourselves. 

*Matthew 11:14

www.thechristiancommunity.org

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.

www.thechristiancommunity.org

 

4th Johnstide 2020, Our Enormity

4^th Johnstide

July 19, 2020

Matthew 11:2-15

When John heard in prison about the deeds of Christ, he sent his disciples to ask

Cornelius Galle Younger, John Baptist in Prison

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 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 Johnstide

July 19, 2020

Matthew 11:2-15

A child may wish for a pony. If they receive a toy pony instead of a real one, there may be a disappointment. Yet in a child’s world of imagination, that toy pony may be able to take them on greater and broader adventures than any physical pony could.

The Hebrew people were expecting a certain kind of threefold Messiah. He would be a great king who would overthrow the Roman occupation. He would be a high priestly initiate. And he would be a great prophet. What they got instead was a poor itinerant preacher and healer who would foretell his own execution. Even John the Baptist, who had seen the Spirit of God descend upon him, became unsure if this was truly the Messiah. And yet….

Melchizedek

The reality of Christ in Jesus was far greater than their hopes and expectations demanded. Jesus asks them to look to His deeds of teaching and healing, for they are the beginning of the founding of a new human race, a new people, the Christ folk. Instead of being an earthly king, he would become the Lord of Karma.

Instead of serving as a priest in the temple in Jerusalem, he would fulfill in his own person the sacrificial rites of bread and wine that Melchizedek initiated. And he would give humanity the universal prayer that we call the Lord’s prayer.

Instead of merely foretelling the future, he would become humankind’s future.

In our lives too, often what we get from the Lord of Karma is far greater than what we wish for. And thus, we may unite our souls, our thoughts, our feelings, our will, with Christ and with whatever He wants to give us. It may not look anything like what we expected or hoped for. In fact, it may appear to be something we most decidedly did not want. But in His own secret way, Christ makes our lives inexpressibly deeper and richer. Stephen Levine says:

         There is a grace approaching

Grunewald

that we shun as much as death,

it is the completion of our birth.

 

It does not come in time,

but in timelessness

….

It is an insistent grace that draws us

to the edge and beckons us surrender

safe territory and enter our enormity. *

 

---

* Stephen Levine, “Millennium Blessing” in Breaking the Drought

 

4th St. Johnstide 2018, Drops of the Sun

Unknown Artist

St. 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:

           

Elijah

            Behold it well: 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 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. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

4th St. Johnstide

July 15, 2018

Matthew 11: 2-15

The sun can shine mightily. Yet the bird in the covered cage will not sing. The plant kept in the dark will not thrive. Uncover the cage, place the plant near the sunlight, and they respond to the light.

When John the Baptist asks from prison whether Jesus is the Messiah, the answer is not a simple yes or no. Rather Jesus points to the effects of his deeds. He has uncovered the soul-cages, brought human souls to the spirit light.

Rembrandt

Not only those physically blind, but also the soul-blind and the soul-deaf can see and hear. Deadened souls are awakened. Weak souls can rise and move forward. The outcasts, the beggars for the spirit receive heaven’s healing richness.

The point is that the working of Christ was and continues to show itself as effective within human beings. “Through Him can the healing spirit work.” And those who choose to follow the Christ path become those who, through Christ working in them, are also effective among their fellow human beings in a healing and uplifting way. 

We can hear in a poem by Hafiz how the Spirit-Sun speaks to our souls:

I know the voice of depression

Still calls to you.

I know those habits that can ruin your life

Still send their invitations.

But you are with the Friend now

And look so much stronger.

You can stay that way

And even bloom!

Keep squeezing drops of the Sun

From your prayers and work and music

And from your companions' beautiful laughter.

Keep squeezing drops of the Sun

From the sacred hands and glance of your Beloved…**

Visit our new website!

---

* From the Creed of The Christian Community

** Hafiz, “Cast All Your Votes For Dancing”, in I Heard God Laughing - Renderings of Hafiz, by Daniel Ladinsky

4th St. Johnstide 2017, Call of Freedom

St. Johnstide

John in Prison, Rembrandt

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

Dore

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 it well: 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 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. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

4^th St. Johnstide

July 16, 2017

Matthew 11: 2-15

There are at least two ways to land in prison; one way is to transgress the law, the social order. The other is to be captured by evil. Humankind has become imprisoned for both reasons. We have transgressed, and we have been captured by the forces of hindrance. 

Christ sent his angel, Elijah-John, to awaken us in our captivity. Through him, we become aware of our guilt, but also of our captive state. And He announces the arrival of our Liberator, the one who will spring the trap, free us, and help us cleanse our clogging guilt.

The angel John was himself imprisoned, both by evil forces and by humanity's collective guilt. In his captivity, others were the ones to bear witness for him, to bear witness to that which he could no longer experience directly. They witnessed that the Liberator gives the insight of vision. He gives inspiration and movement to human souls. He brings cleansing and blessing. And He brings the glad tidings of a new state of freedom for humankind. And so, may we hear Christ's wish for us in the words of the poet:

As a bird soars high

In the free holding of the wind,

Clear of the certainty of ground,

Opening the imagination of wings

Into the grace of emptiness

To fulfill new voyagings,

May your life awaken

To the call of its freedom.*

John O'Donohue, "For Freedom", in To Bless the Space Between Us.

Visit our Website! 

4th St. Johnstide 2016, Garland of Beautiful Deeds

St. Johnstide

Matthew 11: 2-15

John in Prison, Cornelius de Galle the Younger

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:

           

          

John Baptist, Roumanian 10th century

  Behold it well: 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 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. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

4^th St. Johnstide

July 17, 2016

Matthew 11: 2-15

Sometimes one hears a parent telling a child not to do something which the parent him/herself is doing. It is a case of “Do what I say, not what I do.” This is not very effective because 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 asks if Jesus is the Messiah, the expected new political leader, or great prophet. Christ Jesus does not say, ‘Sure, I am the Messiah’. He does not point to great teachings. He points to deeds accomplished on behalf of others. Through Him, human beings are cleansed, strengthen, 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,

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.

4th St. John's Tide 2014, Enter Our Enormity

St. 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 he 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 it well: 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 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. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

4^th St. John’s Tide

July 20, 2014

Matthew 11: 2-15

A child may wish for a pony. If they receive a toy pony instead of a real one, there may be disappointment. Yet in a child’s world of imagination, that toy pony may be able to take them on greater and broader adventures than any physical pony could.

Grunewald

The Hebrew people were expecting a certain kind of threefold Messiah. He would be a great king who would overthrow the Roman occupation. He would be a high priestly initiate; and he would be a great prophet. What they got instead was a poor itinerant preacher and healer who would be executed as a criminal. Even John the Baptist, who had seen the spirit of God descend upon him, became unsure if this was truly the Messiah. And yet….

The reality of Christ in Jesus was far greater than their hopes and expectations demanded. Jesus asks them to look to His deeds of teaching and healing, for they are the beginning of the founding of a new race, a new people, the Christ folk. Instead of being an earthly king, he would become the Lord of Karma. Instead of serving as priest in the temple in Jerusalem, he would fulfill in his own person the sacrificial rites of bread and wine that Melchizedek initiated. And he would give humanity the universal prayer that we call the Lord’s prayer. Instead of merely foretelling the future, he would become mankind’s future.

In our lives too, often what we get from the Lord of Karma is far greater than what we wish for. And thus, we may unite our souls, our thoughts, our feelings, our will, with Christ and with whatever He wants to give us. It may not look anything like what we expected or hoped for. In fact it may appear to be something we most decidedly did not want. But in His own secret way, Christ makes our lives inexpressibly deeper and richer. Stephen Levine says:

There is a grace approaching

that we shun as much as death,

it is the completion of our birth.

It does not come in time,

but in timelessness

….

It is an insistent grace that draws us

to the edge and beckons us surrender

safe territory and enter our enormity.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

---

[1] Stephen Levine,  “Millennium Blessing” in Breaking the Drought

3rd St. Johnstide 2007, God's Door

St. 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.”

John the Baptist

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 he 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 it well: I will send my angel before your face;

            He shall prepare the way of your working in the hearts of men

            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 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. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

3^rd St. Johnstide

July 8, 2007

Matthew 11: 2-15

Evolution has a way of introducing surprises. One could not predict for example the emergence of a rose blossom out of the leaves and thorns that precede it. The surprise development is something softer, more beautiful, colorful and fragrant. Something with no thorns at all. And something that will develop the seeds of new life.

We have come to a doorway in the year when something totally new is to begin. The ancient Hebrews expected the flower of their development as God’s people to be a mighty priest-king or prophet, an upholder of the ancient law. Instead, the Messiah was different from what went before, unexpected, unpredictable. The flowering of divine humanity in Christ Jesus appears as a healer. He strengthens others. He supplements what is missing. He heals, cures, saves through a new capacity. Christ evolves a new capacity of love. This love is characterized by being voluntary. It volunteers to love all, without any kind of preceding sympathy or ties of relationship. This voluntary love contains the seeds of life. Volunteering to love creates heaven on earth through an act of will. Learning to love has been given into our hands. Now it is up to us to germinate the seeds of Christ-love in our hearts.

The words of Hafiz are helpful here:

We

Are not

In pursuit of formalities

Or fake religious Laws,

For through the stairway of existence

We have come to God’s

Door.

We are

People who need to love, because

Love is the soul’s life,

Love is simply creation’s greatest joy.

….we all now come to

The Beloved’s

Door.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

---

[1] Hafiz, “The Stairway of Existence” in The Gift, Daniel Ladinsky, p. 96. 

4th St. Johnstide 2009, No Body But Yours

St. 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 he 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 it well: I will send my angel before your face;

            He shall prepare the way of your working in the hearts of men

            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 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. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

4^th St. Johnstide

July 19, 2009

Matthew 11: 2 – 15

In spring, fruit trees bloom in beauty. Through the kiss of sunlight, the wind, and the bees, they set fruit. Without the fruit, spring’s flowering beauty would be empty. It is the fruit that nurtures the sees of the next generation of life.

When John the Baptist asks Christ to confirm that He is the Messiah, Christ doesn’t say, ‘Yes, I am.’ He points to the fruits of His deeds: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are awakened, and the poor in spirit receive the message from the realm of the angels. (Matthew 11: 4 – 6) The beauty of Christ’s teachings and parables would be empty spring blossoms if they did not also develop into deeds. Christ teaches by example. He enacts what He says of every human being: by their fruits you shall know them (Matthew 7: 16 – 20); not what they say defines them, but what they do.

At Jesus’ birth the good news from the angels was that there will be peace on earth through those human beings in whom good will dwells. Christ came to strengthen, develop and consecrate human willing. Through His deeds in life, in death and in resurrection, He created a doorway in the human constitution so that He could enter into human willing. He lies as a seed in the innermost heart of every human being. Nurturing the Christ seed in our will life, we can become those in whom Christ’s good will dwells, those who spread healing and peace, those whose deeds reveal Christ fruit through the way we act and work in and for the world. For as someone said,

God has no body now on earth but yours

no hands but yours

no feet but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which he pours out,

compassion for the world, compassion in the world.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

---

[1] Teresa of Avila