The Rules of Engaging Grief

Some time ago, I mentioned my daily practise of reading scripture before dawn, reflecting upon the words, typing out a question, and then awaiting a response from the Holy Spirit.  I want to share a second example of the fruit I receive daily to encourage you all to do the same.

“By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. This a remote place, they said, it’s already late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat. But he answered, “Give them something to eat.” Mark 6:35-37

“Prayer: Sometimes, I too feel it is too much trouble.  I guess I am lazy.  Give me, please, some insights to work with.

“Response: Jesus is always testing whether his students, you call them disciples, can swim across the pool.  This is sort of a trite expression but remember I deal in water and its cleansing affect.  He is never far off to ensure that they are not overwhelmed.   So he allows them the chance to perform a miracle based on their faith alone, and of course with his assistance.  They don’t do too well, but before you rush to judgment, when is the last time you performed a miracle?  Do you know that I do not reserve miracles for a past that once again I must remind you is an illusion?

“So instead of getting it, they give back all the rational explanations about cost both in money and in bother.  Yes, bother.  They really want to be free of the five thousand and believe that they have tolerated the intrusion of their time alone with Jesus long enough.  In fact to a man, they believe that they have been quite gracious sharing his presence.

“And you know what happened.  Jesus doggedly and patiently instructs the disciples what they are to do.  He not only satisfies the hunger of the five thousand, most of whom had not a clue as to what was occurring behind the scenes and at the same time gave the disciples a deep lesson in faith.

“So here we are today, this morning, very early, sun not even up, and you can read the scripture verses with a distance of the two thousand years, but don’t.  See them as applying to you right this moment.  I am asking you to feed the five thousand and beyond.  Please don’t tell me about your credentials, theological of course, please don’t speak about it’s early in the morning, or late in your life, please don’t tell me that people will think you crazy — suffering the first signs of dementia, please don’t tell me that it won’t help. 

I hear all your explanations and excuses as I did that late afternoon alongside the lake.  All of the excuses are quite reasonable, but I am asking you to be unreasonable . . .to be as unorthodox, even crazy, as your hero Zorba, The Greek.”

Well, as Zorba would do, I sent the meditation to my Sufi friend whom I met in Kabul in an e-mail with a message, a portion of which is included below.

I pray that you are safe and prosperous.  Is it possible to be both — and I don’t mean in a material sense.
 
Now some questions — What can be done to promote dialogue in this world torn in violence?  Should the focus be on Christian-Moslem exchange or on a spiritual exchange where those interested share the spiritual dimension without revealing if their Moslem, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, or anything thing else persuasion?  You see I see that religions can become things and the spiritual dimension is reserved for an encounter with the Divine.