Sabbath Messages > Sabbath Message: June 11, 2005
Good Sabbath
June 11, 2005
When Elijah heard the "small voice" of God, it became the essence of spirituality, for it is "deep inside our souls", as Hanan Alexander writes in her wonderful book, "Reclaiming Goodness". Our souls are always deep because they must be protected from the foolishness of the brain, the splendid subjectivity of the heart, and the frailty of the physical body.
"Light is sown for the righteous,
And joy for the upright in heart."
Ah, but the soul; this is where energy is stored, for it must be there to be used for good, for perspective in the face of disappointment, or worse, disillusionment with the way that things are.
Reality is always in a quarrel with innocence for we cannot do without either.
I think of the growing groups which make up America, subdivided between "me and them", or "us and the strangers" of different colors and nationalities. Who are the natives and which are strangers and what difference does that make? Does God have any strangers among those He has created and attempts to ennoble? Does Madam Fate? Human nature is the constant; it is truly "half angel and half brute, regardless of race or color or religion.
Each day I read about strangers whom the news media portray as brute or half-angel. I read about Connie Fish, the assistant superintendent of the Fallbrook elementary school district, who is about to retire. It's a small district of 6000 students, young minds who are buffeted by the choices of the young and the foolishness of the "mature". Chronology doesn't determine wisdom, it just makes us be counted as young or older or old; it's not enough. The soul needs years to evolve its composition; the spirit needs the guidance of the parent, the teachers, the mentors, the friends until its values are formed making up the meaning in our lives.
Connie was a "natural teacher", loved working with teachers of teachers, as I do at San Diego State University or the New School of Architecture, where I can observe the changing habits and attitudes of the young, the frustration of the teacher trying to define the meaning of teaching--without which there would only be chaos. She says: "it is good to know that you have made a difference, that you have helped break the cycle of illiteracy". Indeed, for making a difference will help determine the choices made by future parents and teachers, to be zealous in the pursuit of excellence and effectiveness, as Zelda practiced, so that the young discover meaning and purpose, while the spirit learns the mysteries of love and kindness, and in that, discover the presence of God.
When I teach, I listen carefully to my words while observing the eyes and faces of the students. I want to know if they are listening and if I am making a difference, perhaps, the difference in their futures. How pretentious, how marvelous the possibility that the teacher may observe the young minds building their souls, for meaning is the essence of the soul.
What do my actions mean; what does their posture tell me; do their questions make a difference in me and the way I teach? Oh yes!
"In character, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity." (Longfellow)
"I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well." (Alexander the Great)
The teacher, the coach, the parent must understand that wisdom is carried on the wings of enthusiasm, for that is the great blessing with which we can and must endow the young. We have wonderful teachers in our family: Steve, our first-born, Jessica and Jen, our splendid neices, and Cory, our sparkling Alaskan (spouse of Jen) nephew.
"Every great and commanding movement, in the annals of the world, is the triumph of enthusiasm, for nothing great was accomplished without it." (Emerson) Ah, Ralph Waldo, you had a way with words!
Enthusiasm is often the difference between teaching wisdom as well as knowledge, for its energy cannot be measured, except by the changes it causes in others. It is a contagion--rich in personal connectivity, as powerful as any bacteria spreading any disease.
"In moments of temptation, give us strength;
In hours of doubt, renew our faith;
In days of weariness, give us courage.
Help us so to live the radiant spirit of your holy Sabbath, to add brightness to all our days and bring light to us and to those whose lives touch our own."
Amen
sandy
