Mathew Chapters 7-9

Recently I've been re-reading the New Testament. This seems like a good place to share some of my thoughts. 

Matthew 

To me Chapter 7 explores that the key to establishing Justice and making the world a better place is not to judge others but to strive to be upright and pure ourselves, that we may learn together. If we ask God to help us it can happen, but it will be difficult. This is the narrow way. We must have faith and be obedient to the counsels, commandments and laws of God or the "house" we are building will not stand. 

8:1-22 seem pretty straightforward accounts of miracles. The key to me is that Christ (6:4) did not want His miracles known. This seems wise, since miracles are not clear proofs except for those who witness them.   For the rest of us, who were not present, there is no way to discern between miracles and myths.

Really everything that pertains to Christ is a miracle. Solitary and alone, without a helper or protector, without armies and legions, and under the greatest oppression, He uplifted the standard of God before all the people of the world, and withstood them, and finally conquered all, although outwardly He was crucified. This is a real miracle which can never be denied. This is all the proof we need. 

As for healing, I have often thought that the real significance of healing is not physical resurrection and healing, but spiritual healing. For example, 9:5 Christ asks, “For whether is easier, to say, 'Thy sins be forgiven thee' or to say, 'Arise, and walk'?” 

The physical life is temporary, it is the spiritual life that matters. Why did He say "Let the dead bury their own dead." It seems like He was referring to those who were physically alive but spiritually dead. Because giving spiritual life is His real purpose.  

Abdul-Baha explained once,

"Wherever in the Holy Books they speak of raising the dead, the meaning is that the dead were blessed by eternal life; where it is said that the blind received sight, the signification is that he obtained the true perception; where it is said a deaf man received hearing, the meaning is that he acquired spiritual and heavenly hearing. This is ascertained from the text of the Gospel where Christ said: "These are like those of whom Isaiah said, They have eyes and see not, they have ears and hear not; and I healed them.”"

Travel

When I'm on the road I find myself at odd times longing to be around Baha'is. Especially at the airport, where there are so many souls each and all united yet separated by ignorance if their true stations as children of one Heavenly Father, do I so long to be embraced by my brothers and sister. 

Perhaps the limitation is my own. Perhaps I ought to be more courageous

Perhaps I ought not hold back the fires burning in my heart. 

Of course we are all one human family. Of course I can show love to all who cross my path,

but if the reality of man is his thought

then is it not natural that I would long to look into eyes that are open to world. 

More about equality of women and men

While we agree that women and men are equal, how often does inequality still creep into our interactions? How often do we see men receiving preference over women in decision making often in subtle ways. Especially challenging is that this is so ingrained that men and women may both inadvertently participate in its perpetuation because they may not recognize it. 

Education may be a solution. We can address the root cause by providing more opportunities for women to learn to be more vocal and men to listen more. But what do such opportunities look like?

“Lack of equality between man and woman is, likewise, a cause of human dissension. Bahá'u'lláh has named this as an important factor of discord and separation, for so long as humankind remains unequally divided in right and importance between male and female, no unity can be established. In a perfect human body it is not possible for one organ to be complete and another defective. In the great body of human society it is impossible to establish unity and coordination if one part is considered perfect and the other imperfect. When the perfect functions of both parts are in operation, harmony will prevail. God has created man and woman equal as to faculties. He has made no distinction between them. Woman has not reached the level of man in human accomplishment because of the lack of opportunity and education. If educational opportunities were made equal and similar, the two parts, man and woman, would equalize in attainment. God has intended no difference between them that should be productive of discord. He has endowed all with human faculties, and all are manifestations of His mercy. If we say man and woman differ in creational endowment, it is contrary to divine justice and intention. Both are human. If God has created one perfect and the other defective, He is unjust. But God is just; all are perfect in His intention and creative endowment. To assume imperfection in the creature is to presuppose imperfection in the almighty Creator. The soul that excels in attainment of His attributes and graces is most acceptable before God.”

Excerpt From: Abdu’l-Bahá “The Promulgation of Universal Peace.”

Long day

Today was a long day. I think that it was made longer by the struggles of the spirit. Of course it bears remembering that long days are the best days. The more we do, the more our minds are engaged, the longer the day. 

Today I worked hard: researching a myriad of minor task and processes for our client; doing my best to encourage the team to which I am assigned as a process engineer; overcoming stumbling blocks regarding plans to reduce the workload on the team thereby helping them overcome a backlog; representing some conversations with a more senior colleague to the upper management of our client while he is on vacation; teaching my roommate about the benefits of using double entry bookkeeping for our household expenses; exercising way past my normal limit with a buddy who really knows his stuff; naturally sharing some Sacred Words in a weekly update to my boss; and of course praying just a little.

Oh I ate food and drank water (but mostly coffee). 

Morning meditation

“It is as if a kind and loving father had provided a library of wonderful books for his son in order that he might be informed of the mysteries of creation, at the same time surrounding him with every means of comfort and enjoyment, but the son amuses himself with pebbles and playthings, neglectful of all his father's gifts and provision.”

Excerpt From: Bahá, Abdu’l. “The Promulgation of Universal Peace.” 

Going to try using this space for daily reflection. 

The sword of thy rebellion hath felled the tree of thy hope

21. O MOVING FORM OF DUST!

I desire communion with thee, but thou wouldst put no trust in Me. The sword of thy rebellion hath felled the tree of thy hope. At all times I am near unto thee, but thou art ever far from Me. Imperishable glory I have chosen for thee, yet boundless shame thou hast chosen for thyself. While there is yet time, return, and lose not thy chance.

The sword is dulled, blunt,
sawing through, slowly
bruising, tearing, never clean.
Each grinding stroke a choice
driven by the weight of those before it,
the onslaught relentless.
The tree bleeds.

Fallen trees give way to rotting earth.
Slain bodies give way to thrusting roots.
Everlasting souls extinguish in bestial desires.

Redeeming Adam and Eve

Growing up as a Baha'i I was taught that Adam was the First Manifestation of God, the first Divine Educator to mankind. As a junior youth and a youth, I always had trouble reconciling the this view with many of the interpretations of the story of Adam and Eve in modern society.

In some Answered Questions, 'Abdu'l-Baha explores many of the metaphysical messages behind the story. And I encourage any who have the desire to decipher His profound explanation to do so. I myself spent much time over the years pondering it. It can be found here.

One morning, as I was pondering the continued cruelty with which women are treated in society today, by both men and women, I cast my mind upon this story. I thought also of the way in which 'Abdu'l-Baha would sometimes retell simple fables and stories in order to clarify any moral ambiguity. This same approach was used in creating the text, "Walking the Straight Path". I was also inspired by His example, and so wrote this.

In the garden of Eden lived the first Man, Adam, and His wife, Eve. He was a perfect emanation of the Will of God. She was created from Adam's rib and so manifested His attributes. They lived together in peace and unity, enjoying all the fruits of the garden except for the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which was for God alone. Adam and Eve obeyed. They loved their Creator and loved being so close to Him.

There was a serpent, an evil whisperer, who also lived in the Garden. One day he came to Eve and whispered to her about the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. He told her that it would make her wise. “For God knows,” he said, ”that the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Eve had a strong desire to become Wise and Knowing and to become more like God whom she loved. This desire overcame her and she ate of the fruit. Then she shared the fruit with her husband. Adam remained loyal to Eve and in unity with her, and He ate the fruit.

When God came to garden, He saw what had happened and questioned Adam. Adam was honest and told God all that had happened. Eve was also honest and told God the truth.

And so God punished the serpent, saying that his life would have no value. “And so you shall eat dust All the days of your life.”

Then God, the Just, the All-Loving, gave Adam and Eve a punishment. He said that Eve would bear Adam children and that to do so would be painful. God commanded Eve to remain with Adam and to love Him. He commanded Adam to toil in the field all the days of His life, for His food and for His family. And later God Blessed them with children.

A just and loving parent punishes and rewards her children in order to train them. God trains mankind to be worthy of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve were loyal to one another and truthful before God. They were trained together by God.