{"id":8557,"date":"2013-12-10T18:30:55","date_gmt":"2013-12-10T23:30:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newagedevelopments.org\/blog\/?p=8557"},"modified":"2013-12-10T18:33:18","modified_gmt":"2013-12-10T23:33:18","slug":"in-the-words-of-jesus-part-882","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newagedevelopments.org\/blog\/2013\/12\/10\/in-the-words-of-jesus-part-882\/","title":{"rendered":"IN THE WORDS OF JESUS\u2013Part 882"},"content":{"rendered":"

ON LOVE; PART\u00a0CDLXXI<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391<\/span><\/h6>\n

GoodWill\u00a0IS Love in Action<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391<\/span><\/h6>\n

The Gospel of Thomas<\/span><\/h2>\n

These are the hidden words that the living Jesus spoke. And Didymos Judas Thomas<\/em>\u00a0wrote\u00a0them down.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

(96) Jesus [says]:\u00a0“The kingdom of the Father is like [a] woman.\u00a0She took a little bit of yeast. [She] hid it in dough (and) made it into huge loaves of bread.\u00a0Whoever has ears should hear.<\/em>“<\/span><\/p>\n

(97) Jesus says:\u00a0“The kingdom of the [Father] is like a woman who is carrying a [jar] filled with flour.\u00a0While she was walking on [the] way, very distant (from home),\u00a0the handle of the jar broke (and) the flour leaked out [on] the path.\u00a0(But) she did not know (it); she had not noticed a problem.\u00a0When she reached her house, she put the jar down on the floor (and) found it empty.<\/em>“<\/span><\/p>\n

(98) Jesus says:\u00a0“The kingdom of the Father is like a person who wanted to kill a powerful person.\u00a0He drew the sword in his house (and) stabbed it into the wall to test whether his hand would be strong (enough).\u00a0Then he killed the powerful one.<\/em>“<\/span><\/p>\n

(99)\u00a0The disciples said to him: “Your brothers and your mother are standing outside.”\u00a0He said to them: “Those here, who do the will of my Father, they are my brothers and my mother.\u00a0They are the ones who will enter the kingdom of my Father.<\/em>“<\/span><\/p>\n

(100)\u00a0They showed Jesus a gold coin and said to him: “Caesar\u2019s people demand taxes from us.”\u00a0He said to them: “Give Caesar (the things) that are Caesar\u2019s.\u00a0Give God (the things) that are God\u2019s.\u00a0And what is mine give me.<\/em>“<\/span><\/p>\n

(101)\u00a0“Whoever does not hate his [father] and his mother as I do will not be able to be a [disciple] of mine.\u00a0And whoever does [not] love [his father] and his mother as I do will not be able to be a [disciple] of mine.\u00a0For my mother [\u2026], but my true [mother] gave me life.<\/em>”\u00a014<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Today IS Human Rights Day 2013 and we must admit that this day snuck up on us as we were unaware even of\u00a0its existence and this is a large part of a basic problem in the world: that those things worth our attention do not get it because no one KNOWS. We know about the lifestyles of the sports figure and the socialite, we know about the minutia of the lives of actors and actresses and the death of one, even the smallest injury to one, becomes worldwide news. We know what he said and she said about the rich and famous but we do not KNOW anything about ideas and ideals like Human Rights Day. It IS only in our ability to make these things KNOWN; not in passing and after the fact as we do today, that they can begin to have some effect upon the lives of men.<\/p>\n

Every day should be Human Rights Day; there should be no need for a special call out for a man to recognize the rights of others and, at the same time we should be careful not to channel our ideas on Human Rights into the political arena only, we should rather understand the greater importance in having enough food, a safe place to live and sleep, and these things especially for the most vulnerable of society; we should see the greater importance of education and justice and not attend so much to the political structure of any country except when it denies its citizens of these essentials of Life. It is here in this area of Human Rights that we need to exercise our own sense of Right Human Relations in ALL that we think and do in the world and it is here that we must display our own Spiritual Truths as we recognize the full force of Love; that it IS Love that cures ALL that ails the world of men. And it is here that we must Truly realize that there CAN NOT be but one day set aside for these ideas but that these should become the Life work of ALL who Truly care as the Master teaches us in the Great Commandments and the Golden Rule:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Of all that the Master told us, He considered this as the Greatest of Commandments. So much of what we are to understand as aspirants or as believers is found in the precept that we must KEEP HIS WORDS:<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these<\/em><\/strong>” (Mark 12:30-31).<\/span><\/p>\n

We ask ourselves WHAT THEN IS LOVE?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In a general sense love is benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

We add to this THE EVER IMPORTANT AND HIGH IDEAL TAUGHT TO US BY THE CHRIST which can serve to both give us an understanding of what it means to Love oneself and how it is that we can Love our neighbor:<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“<\/strong>Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them<\/strong><\/em>” (Matthew 7:12).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

To lend some additional ideas to the world thought regarding today we post below the comments of President Obama and Pope Francis in regard to Human Rights Day; from the president we have his press release and from the Pope we have some recent comments and an associated headline that sets the tone. Beginning with the Pope who has been offering a very public stand against the injustices of society and of whom we have become a quick fan; the headline says:\u00a0‘Prayer Wave’ Led By Pope Francis To End Hunger Begins On December 10, Human Rights Day<\/strong>. For any who wish to participate, there is much information on-line. Some of the recent associated ideas that the Pope has presented:<\/span><\/p>\n

“To live charitably means not looking out for our own interests, but carrying the burdens of the weakest and poorest among us.”<\/span>
\n “We cannot sleep peacefully while babies are dying of hunger and the elderly are without medical assistance.”<\/span>
\n “There are many people in need in today\u2019s world. Am I self-absorbed in my own concerns or am I aware of those who need help?”<\/span>
\n “True charity requires courage: let us overcome the fear of getting our hands dirty so as to help those in need.”<\/span>
\n “If money and material things become the center of our lives, they seize us and make us slaves.”<\/span>
\n “Take care of God\u2019s creation. But above all, take care of people in need.”<\/span>
\n“The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty.”<\/span><\/p>\n

These excerpts are but examples of the ideas of the Pontiff regarding social welfare and these are, all of them, directed toward those of some ability to help. If we can substitute the idea of Love for the Pope’s use of the word Charity then these messages are much the same as our own and while we, as aspirants and disciples, may not have the wherewithal to give of money and goods, we DO have the wherewithal to give nonetheless by our expression of our own sense of Love in ALL that we do and by our example of this expression to the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

On a very different note we find the words of President Obama whose ideas on Human Rights are on the more political side and, as we have said above, this concern should NOT be in the forefront of our thoughts except where such politics and policies obliterate the basic needs so the citizens. It should not matter if we do not agree politically with a dictator or a communist or a socialist regime if the citizens there are fed and sheltered and educated in a just society and we must ever be careful not to define these things only according to our own preconceived ideas of just what they should mean. Should ALL men have freedom of religion and the ability to conduct their lives in their own way? YES, of course, but these are not of paramount importance in a world where millions starve and die of exposure every day or where the extent of education does not include basic reading and social skills. These things are the True injustice and must outweigh the politics of any group or nation. The President’s proclamation:<\/span><\/p>\n

Six and a half decades ago, delegates from around the world convened to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, rejecting the notion that individual aspirations should be subject to the whims of tyrants and empires, and affirming every person’s right to liberty, equality, and justice under the law. On Human Rights Day and during Human Rights Week, we resolve not only to celebrate these ideals but also to advance them in our time.<\/span>
\n Humanity thrives because of our differences; the exchange of ideas among vibrant cultures is a source of innovation, beauty, and vitality. Yet across the globe, our common and inalienable rights bind us as one. All women and men — across borders and regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, or income level — share the freedoms of expression, religion, assembly, and association. We all have the right to take part in government, directly or through freely elected representatives. And as societies, we have the right to choose our own destiny.<\/span>
\n But in many parts of the world, people are still persecuted for their beliefs, imprisoned for their ideals, and punished for their convictions. A growing number of countries are passing laws designed to stifle civil society — including organizations that promote universal human rights, support good governance, and bolster economic development. Securing freedoms that are threatened or denied will require an unceasing commitment. Today and always, let us break down prejudice, amplify the courageous voices that sound the call for change, and reaffirm our unwavering support for the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.<\/span>
\n NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 10, 2013, as Human Rights Day and the week beginning December 10, 2013, as Human Rights Week. I call upon the people of the United States to mark these observances with appropriate ceremonies and activities.<\/span>
\n IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.<\/span><\/p>\n

BARACK OBAMA \u00a0*<\/span><\/p>\n

Returning to our discussion on the ninety eighth saying from the Gospel of Thomas, we find that this most obscure saying from the Master can and does make sense when it is viewed in relationship to the man in the world and how it is that he must accomplish this reality of killing if he Truly desires to be accounted worthy<\/em> of the Kingdom. This IS of course against the grain of the more common thoughts in the West where men believe that it is their ‘god given right’ to possess and control their carnal destiny when the Truth is in his ability to possess and control his spiritual destiny; and this IS against the grain as well of the common thought that one can do both….be Truly spiritual and, at the same time, live a carnally oriented Life in this world. Some in the Christian world actually take offence at the premise that the Master’s teachings include this idea that to be accounted worthy<\/em> of His Kingdom, that one must have “crucified the flesh<\/em>” as the Apostle Paul frames this in that saying that we left off with in the last post. It IS the worldly way and it has somewhat become the Christian way to find safe harbor in these words by changing their very meaning so as to enable men to see that this pertains to the other guy and not to the self; and this despite the many words of the Master and His apostles to the contrary. And this IS ALL wrapped up for us in a single saying from the Master which we can see as addressed to the man who thinks that he can do both or that he can attend to the self and the self in the world and still attain His Kingdom by way of some ritual or affirmation and, of course, nothing could be farther from the Truth. The Master says:<\/span><\/p>\n

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon<\/strong><\/em>” (Matthew 6:24).<\/span><\/p>\n

Now we can think that mammon means only treasure<\/em>\u00a0and riches as this is defined by the man in the world but this IS NOT so; we can find many meanings in the Master’s own words as to the nature of treasure,<\/em>\u00a0on how it IS what has becomes important to the man and on how his very heart<\/strong><\/em> can be seen to serve this treasure<\/em> as we read in His words that “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also<\/em>” (Luke 12:.34). The point here is that no matter what safe harbors one may think that he has in regard to the Master’s words, there really IS NONE; as a man conducts his Life, it IS the objects of his attention and the things that he strives<\/em> for that ARE what he serves and if we intelligently look at His words above we can easily see that this CAN NOT be split, a man CAN NOT “serve two masters<\/strong><\/em>“…”no man<\/em><\/strong>“. These ARE His words and they are abundantly clear and it is in these type of ideas that the Truth of another saying rings loudly as He says: “Whoever has ears should hear<\/em>” which phrasing we take from Thomas’ Gospel and which is rendered in the Interlinear in a different way from which we can perhaps learn much; we read there that: “He-who-has-ear of-him, let- him-listen<\/em>” (Thomas 96:3).<\/span><\/p>\n

And so IS the meaning of our ninety eighth saying as it tells us that we CAN NOT live in both worlds; we CAN NOT ‘pretend’ to be spiritually minded while we are attending to the things of the flesh. We should see in this saying the separate ideas; first that the Kingdom is likened to the man, the spiritual man, who wants to kill the powerful man of the personality in the world. Second we should see the acknowledgement of the difficulty of this task wrapped up in the idea of the spiritual man ascertaining that he is capable of accomplishing this; and this we can see in our own lives, how the personality and its worldly ways is sore difficult to defeat. Here we can see the sword as the weapon with which the spiritual man can defeat the wiles of the world, how he can stand against them as his own “affections and lusts<\/em>“; in the parabolic saying the sword is but the carnal example while the True sword is one’s own spiritual will which we can see in Paul’s words that tell us of the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God<\/em>” (Ephesians 6:17). Finally we see this man, this spiritual man who identifies the reality that he must overcome, slay if you will, the ways of the flesh as they infect the personality, this man who has counted the cost, the psychic cost, and sees that he can accomplish this thing, and sets out to do so and in the reality of expressing the Kingdom of God within, the True man, he completes is objective and his goal, he has “crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts<\/em>“; he is among them that “are Christ’s<\/em>”\u00a0(Galatians 5:24); he is accounted worth<\/em> of the Kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can we see the reality of this saying from the Master according to Thomas and can we see how His parabolic words have a True spiritual meaning and that this IS the very nature of the parable of the Master. Our next saying, the ninety ninth, is another that does have a matching version in the synoptic gospels and this is a saying that is generally overlooked but which has a very deep meaning to ALL who would follow Him. The three synoptic versions plus Thomas are:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • “Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it<\/em>” (Luke 8:19-21).<\/span><\/li>\n
  • “There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother<\/em>” (Mark 3:31-35),<\/span><\/li>\n
  • “While he yet talked to the people, behold , his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother<\/em>” (Matthew 12:46-50).<\/span><\/li>\n
  • “The disciples said to him:<\/em> “Your brothers and your mother are standing outside.”\u00a0He said to them: “Those here, who do the will of my Father, they are my brothers and my mother.\u00a0They are the ones who will enter the kingdom of my Father<\/em>“” (Thomas 99).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Each says this a bit differently; Matthew points out the disciples as His brethren in this understanding and then includes ALL who keep His words<\/em>, Thomas includes the apparent in saying that it IS those that keep His words<\/em> that will enter the Kingdom, but ALL DO get across the very same message. All of the translations from Thomas’ Gospel say much the same thing and in much the same way as we read above and there is no need to present these here. The available commentary includes:<\/span><\/p>\n