Sabbath Messages > Sabbath Message: November 19, 2005
Good Sabbath
November 19, 2005
Ethics: we are forbidden to distort truth and deceit and to condemn hypocrisy. The problem with contemporary times is that truth is how it is defined rather than what it is. There is a "higher" calling today to be loyal to a political party rather than nation, to demonize disagreement rather than prizing the freedom to do so, and to believe in a God whom some believe seeks rapture and immense bloodletting, rather than One of kindness and forgiveness. We have changed religion into a political arena rather than a spiritual one. As Pogo said, "we have seen the enemy and them is us".
"Justice, justice shalt thou pursue". Why is the word justice written twice? To teach us that we must practice justice at all times, whether it be for our profit or our loss, and towards all humankind."
We are taught: "love thy neighbor as thyself, which is the fundamental principle of what all religions should be."
"Let a man forgive the disgrace to which he has been subjected. Let him seek no honor through the disgrace of his neighbor." (Talmud)
Fran and I head up to LA to enjoy football and a spectacular weather front that disguises autumn as summer, whose dry heat and wind promote fires, and who slows blood's course to a trickle, as senses are heightened so that no beauty is ignored. Even as leaves rust into autumn's brilliant colors, they bring boyhood back to man's memory and remind us of what sustains life and makes it worthwhile.
"The noblest question in the world is,"what good may I do in it?" What good indeed? Well, how about using the senses to locate the nature of beauty so that it fulfills the senses; to seek truth so that justice may prevail; to love with all your heart and soul, for not loving is riskier than loving.
"The highest wisdom is kindness." (Talmud)
We search for the spiritual. But the search must be internal before one can widen the seeking to the external, for truth lies in one's soul and mind, so that as we seek knowledge, we receive answers; while we are bogged down by problems, we find the answers, as we discover the truth of things and events. Politics tries to color autumn's leaves white instead of rust, for all that is vanilla can be misstated as unimportant unless we taste it, feel its icy nourishment, have fun with its childlike satisfaction. Complexity makes the simple disappear into search while its truth becomes apparent when simply examined and appreciated.
As we head into Thanksgiving, remember the many reasons to be thankful; dig into the subject so that the good of life's experience outweighs the negative. This takes the nature of a search as if for treasure, for so much is hidden from recognition unless the senses seek it out as lovely, good, blessing, possibility.
"For the Lord is good; His loving-kindness endureth forever, and His faithfulness unto all generations." Life is to be shared just as Thanksgiving requires recognition and search, for there are those blessings that need illumination before they turn into magic this Sabbath.
sandy
