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Wisdom Story
A group of disciples were sitting in a house. They had been treated to supper and a video show of a film about Moses. The host considered such a movie an apt religious entertainment for the religious guests. Their spiritual Teacher seemed to watch the video with interest, correcting parts that differed from the Bible.
At the end of the video, the disciples began discussing their impressions of the film. As usual with the group, they connected the contents to profound and mysterious religious teachings.
Then, one disciple turned to their Teacher. He asked, "And what Teacher are your thoughts on the film about our great spiritual ancestor Moses?" "Well," replied the Teacher, "I like very much the films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers~very good dancing."
Comments
"Religion" appears to derive from a Latin root meaning "to bind as one." So, the purpose of religion is to bring the Divine and human into unity, into an experience of oneness.
This connecting with God, as we best understand that Mystery, is a positive of religion. Religion at its least can help stabilize society, providing morals and a transcendent referent, and gives persons an anchor for life. At its most religion offers a system of rites and beliefs leading to a profoundly transformative union with the Mystery in Love, and a unity in spiritual community that is able to form bonds that can be stronger than natural kinship.
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The danger of religion is when it leads us to an artificial way of living that is counter the enjoyment of the innate good of the created world. Christian religion is not meant to create us to be unnatural oddities. Deeply, purely spiritual men and women are profoundly natural.
Then, why do persons shy away, though they may admire, deeply spiritual persons? Such avoidance, even when admired, is not due to the unnatural oddity of a spiritual person. Rather, it is the other way. The profound, divine naturalness of deeply spiritual men and women, so alive with true Life, casts light on the oddly unnatural lives lived by most persons. The beautiful, pure, and divinely natural character formed in the chalice of the Spirit of Intimate Love is intolerable to most persons, even most religious persons.
The story above exemplifies the Teacher appreciating the natural good of the world. In Grace oneing us with the Creator, we enjoy a most beautiful, pure, and erotic love affair with the Creation.
Suggested Reflection
Put the following statement in your own words: "Deeply, purely spiritual men and women are profoundly natural."
Do you enjoy a "most beautiful, pure, and erotic love affair with Creation"? Explain.
Do you live oneed with the Divine? Explain.
See next page for Purpose of OneLife, reference to the writer's book, his writing in The Upper Room Disciplines 2008, and matters pertaining to source material in this devotional.
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