Whoever is not against us is for us

“Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40) Jesus disciples were concerned that someone they did not know was casting out demons in the name of Jesus. We are concerned that our ‘place’ not be usurped and our function be replaced. We are suspicious about those who are not “of our tribe”. Unfortunately this mistrust and suspicion continues to trouble our efforts to do good. Our ego blocks accepting help from the outside. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan Priest who many see as a spiritual leader who lives the teachings of the 13th century friar, St. Francis, identifies non dual thinking as a goal for our spiritual growth. Few things in life are black and white, good and bad, for us and against us. Rohr sees non dual thinking in Jesus in the Gospels.

Metro Transit bus is scene of compassionate action

The people and the operator of Route 82 coming home last night rallied to come to the aid of an elderly gentleman who was unable to find the stop he wanted in Bedford. From my vantage point near the back of the bus, I witnessed the gentleman approach the operator with a question about the location of the apartments which were his destination. The people close to the man and some from the back conversed and soon reached a consensus as to where the man wanted to go. They informed the operator who had already stopped the bus and was conferring with the dispatcher for some assistance. One lady offered that she was being picked up by someone with a car at the next stop and they would drive the gentleman to the apartments which were his destination. The bus had passed the stop he wanted by about a kilometer. Many stories seem to surface of a decline of civility on our buses. This is a tale of care and compassion. All the busy passengers suspended their rush hour schedules to help this gentleman. Only in Nova Scotia? I doubt in!

Resonance and the sense of intense understanding

I just finished ordering Richard Rohr's new book, The Naked Now, after hearing an interview with him on the CBC Program, Tapestry. Rohr is a Franciscan priest who talks eloquently about the life of St. Francis, as a man who "got it". He formulates an approach to avoiding dual thinking. This non dual thinking is, in Rohr's opinion, the thinking and action of Jesus. The interview and the web searching I have done since listening to the radio program resonate with my search. The The Enneagram: A Typology of Personality, used by Rohr to explore the ego and psychology of believers also identified well my personality type. How satisfying it is to encounter ideas and techniques which resonate with your spirit!

People from Honalee

The death of Mary Travers of Peter Paul and Mary inspired the music play list creators to retrieve many fine selections from this group. This morning "Puff the Magic Dragon" greeted my waking ears.

Are we, the boomers born in the early 50's, people from Honalee? Little Jackie Paper loved that dragon Puff. I think many of my contemporaries were "turned -on" by flights of the imagination to better places where "peace, love and non violence" (remember Woodstock?) would be the way of life. I think our generation worked to battle racism, poverty and discrimination. Imagination is a powerful tool. Our grandchildren will need much imagination. They will have many challenges. Our children are taking charge. They have the skills and knowledge. They have varied experience. The wisdom they need will develop and I suggest that taking our grandchildren to Honalee might be a great start.

Today, Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time we are reminded "Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’ "(Mark 9:37-38)

We can imagine ourselves in this scene from Scripture. The child in this story did not have any status in the society. This reminds the "Woodstock generation" of the ideals which we hoped would lead to the action of breaking down walls and levelling the playing field. Today's child will be our opportunity to reopen imagination and "Puff" rediscover the Divine.

September is New Stories and New Paths

This September 2009, I begin some new adventures. After about 18 years as a "technical instructor" at the Nova Scotia Community College I begin this month as a "facilator" in written, oral and interpersonal communications. I am also beginning a 12-13 week involvement with the first Alpha Course in our parish