Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Jesus Offended Them

+AMDG+



When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, "Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given to him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?"
And they took offense at him.
-Mark 6:2-3


As I was reading Breathing Underwater, by Richard Rohr, I came across an interesting insight. The book is about combing the 12 Step program with the Gospels and he succeeds beautifully. He said that most of his assume that our thought process is logical and correct. That all the thoughts and ideas we connect are correct. We never question if there is a flaw in the process. It is an incredible insight which I want to point out here in the Gospel.

Jesus shared his amazing insights into the mystery of God, into His very mystery, to stress the point, GOD IS TEACHING YOU ABOUT GOD DIRECTLY! So not only does he do this with his words but all with his actions. And if you read the response of the people their reaction is very "off." It went from: 

WOW can you believe what He is saying and doing?!?!?
to
Wait, who is He?!?!?
to
Who the HELL does He think He is?!?!?

There is a flaw in the thought process here. They had no problem with what he actually said but were offended because HE said it. I think human beings are very funny. We are more affected by the source than by the actually words. For example if I put:

Love thy neighbor as thyself.
- The Buddha

Love they neighbor as thyself.
-Jesus

Love they neighbor as thyself.
-Charles Manson

Each one affects differently. Does that mean the message is not true? There was a moment when we read the words, then see the source and no matter what was said subconsciously we reject or accept the words as true or false. When you find yourself having a very negative reaction, question your thought pattern. You may be wrong or you may not be but if you miss out on Truth then you miss out on Love.

If you miss out on Truth then you miss out on Love.

If God is Truth and Love and Oneness and Life then all those things come from God no matter where we find them. Truth is truth no matter who says it! Here is a beautiful quote:


When you hear truth, accept it.
When you see love, rejoice in it.
When you are in love, breath in your Beloved.
When your love is returned, realize how close you really are with God.
And be grateful.

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