RECEIVING SACRED TEACHING
A Jon Van tells of an experiment given at the 1995 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Researchers gave forty-four doctors the symptoms of a hypothetical patient. They, then, asked for each doctor to diagnosis the patient. The point of the study was not how well the doctors could diagnose.
Rather, before the experiment, researchers gave half the doctors a bag of candy. They said this was a token of appreciation for their involvement in the study. The other doctors did not receive the candy.
Alice Isen, a psychologist, noted the doctors who got the candy were far more likely to diagnose the patient correctly. Her explanation: "Pleasant-feeling states rise to altruism, helpfulness, and improved interpersonal processes."
*Craig Brian Larson, Editor. Contemporary Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, & Writers.. "Kindness."
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Is it not a common experience that when we show certain lovely vistas to a dear friend for the first time, our own delight is renewed by their delight in the novelty of the scene. Our reawakened joy is heightened by the passion of our friendship. It seems that the more we love them, the more do old things become new for us.
*Augustine. On Catechizing the Uninstructed. In Donald X. Burt. Day by Day with Saint Augustine. "May 2 - Love Makes Old Things Seem New."
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We are already one. So, to be good, to be kind, to give thoughtful attention to the other, means to bless that one and to bless myself, with one blessing. Such cannot be otherwise, for we are one, and in Love the relative otherness resolves back into the absolute union we always already are.
Therefore, if I am to better my life, I must better my loving, as an acting outward of thoughtfulness and kindness to others. Otherwise, my efforts, regardless of what changes take place externally, are ultimately worthless.
Being one, how I treat a person, affects how he or she sees and treats another. How someone else treats someone, affects how he or she, in turn, sees and treats me.
Creation is to be one unbreakable Circle of Love. This is what Scripture means by a new heaven and new earth. We are creating that, already, with Love, in each act of kindness.
You may say, "But I have been hurt so deeply." You may say, "But people can be so hard to love." You may say, "But others are not kind to me, they do not appreciate me." Well, listen to the Apostle Paul:
4But in everything and in every way we show that we truly are God's servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times. 5We have been beaten, put in jail, and hurt in riots. We have worked hard and have gone without sleep or food. 6But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real. 7We have spoken the truth, and God's power has worked in us. In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right.
*II Corinthians 6.4-7 (CEV)
Now, can you not be graceful, kind? Can you not give yourself, regardless of how you have been treated in the past or how you are being treated now?
Is not kindness a sacrament of self-giving, a seed planted in the Garden of Heaven, which shall last forever? Is this Heaven not in one word - Love? Is not all of Love in one act of grace, freely given by you? Love cannot divide itself, not in Itself, can it - anymore than can God, Who is Love, can be divided into more than One Essence? So, when you are kind to one person, are you not kind to all persons?
Paul says, "The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real." May we be able to say the same, at the end of this day, and each day.
QUIETLY RESPONDING
1) Today, be more conscious of being kind, as you go about your day. And go out of your way to be kind to one person. Do not expect anything in return. Rejoice in the act itself, rejoice in the kindness given. Feel what that feels like.
2) Think of someone who has been kind to you, but you have not likewise reciprocated. Do so.
3) Examine if you have been unkind to someone, and you need to confess that to the person, asking forgiveness.
Blessings!
Rev Dr Brian K Wilcox
May 22, 2009
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*OneLife Ministries is a ministry of Brian K. Wilcox, of SW Florida. Brian lives a vowed life and with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis. Brian is an ecumenical spiritual leader, open to how Christ manifests in the diversity of Christian denominations and varied religious-spiritual traditions. He is Senior Chaplain for the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Punta Gorda, FL.
*Brian welcomes responses to his writings or submission of prayer requests at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Contact the above email to book Brian for Spiritual Direction, retreats, or workshops. You can order his book An Ache for Union at major book dealers.
