Archive for the ‘spirit’ Category

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Christ Living In Us

September 5, 2023

Thomas Merton expressed what I’ve tried to say for years. “For Christianity is not merely a doctrine or a system of beliefs. It is Christ living in us and uniting men to one another in His own Life and unity.” (New Seeds of Contemplation)

One can tell, often at first meeting, whether the other person is filled with the spirit or filled with other stuff. Except for the gullible among us (which at times can be all of us), we have a built-in BS detector. There exists occasional charlatans who manage to defeat that detector in some or many of us. 

I’m more concerned with me. And you. Not that we can detect when people are false and manipulating us. No, it’s more that we develop the practices that bring the spirit of God within us. And we can express that spirit through the kind of service that brings people together.

The easy path leads to spouting off words designed to set us apart. Designed to provoke emotions in the other.

The harder path is to express the spirit living within that brings healing and unity and joy to others.

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Connected to the Root

August 31, 2023

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

I love this metaphor that Jesus laid on us. I think of it often. Nutrients from the soil and water representing spiritual energy, tended by God, flowing through Jesus (the vine) into the branches (us) producing fruit (new disciples).

This flow of energy fascinates me. I feel it in meditation. I also feel it while doing some act of service. Especially with others.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

What more needs said?

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. “

What are we supposed to do in order to bear fruit? Love one another as Jesus loved.

What a way to live.

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