EATING THE MENUS AND NOT THE ‘FOOD’ – Don Hanley’s blog #76

I find myself reflecting on something I find very sad, and that is that people keep eating their adopted, or inherited, menus rather than leaving the menus and enjoying tasting the contents of the menu and then turning their back on the banquet because they find some of it too tough to chew and digest. So, too many find condemning someone else’s menu and fighting, or even killing, them or simply ignoring them and segregating them so that they do not have to deal with them. An example would be a couple, or maybe more, who dislike my religious or spiritual ideas and thus excommunicate me from their ‘world.’ They don’t even realize that they are also ignoring their menu of religious thinking.

It had been several days since I visited Mary and ‘my Nazareth family,’ and I hoped to talk with them sometime soon. My visits were weird; sometimes, it seemed that just thinking about them became a request and was followed by an evening visit. Other times, I had nothing to do with it and found myself sitting in Mary’s flower garden. Anyway, I’m glad I have them as my somewhat frequent spiritual companions. This evening, I found Mary with John, Ruth, Joshua, Julie, and the baby whose name I can’t remember. I don’t think he’ll ever remember me anyway, so.

After I raised my question about living according to Jesus' teachings, John mentioned that Jesus was also concerned about this. For instance, he felt deep sorrow for Judas Iscariot. He feared that Judas did not truly understand, especially regarding His teachings on love, compassion, patience, and all the other virtues of being a loving person. Mary asked, “John, do you know anything about Judas’s parents, especially his mother?”

“I never met either of his parents, but I’m sure they were not kind and nurturing like you, Ruth, and Joshua. He did share enough of his childhood experiences for me to know that.”

I asked, “John, did Jesus say anything about teaching someone to become a loving person?”

“The best way was to hear the message of God is Love and have the teacher or messenger be a loving person. And, of course, the student must be open to learning how to be connected and be with others. Our Father’s energy or power is present in every person, and he or she needs to be in touch with it. The message, or ‘menu’ as you call it. It can be taught, and again, by someone living it. Accepting the divine energy must be deep enough so that the student or receiver is not led away by some false leader who pretends to know what is best for everyone. You mentioned a leader in your century who led millions of people in Germany, I think you called it, who did exactly the opposite of what Jesus taught. Jesus would not condemn him, but he would have done everything possible to enlighten him. As far as I know, he never encountered such a mean-spirited person.”

John hesitated and added, “I think my fellow Apostle, Peter, has gone to Rome to see if the Emperor would end his army’s cruelty and the empire’s slavery.”

I asked, “John, did Jesus ever mention slavery to you?”

“Not directly, but he did condemn cruelty, and I am sure that slavery fits into the category of cruelty - even if the slave owner is kind, it takes away the ability of the enslaved man or woman to choose a way of life that is more life-giving and creative.”

I replied, “John, you just said, ‘life-giving.’ I like that and I use that a lot to determine whether an action or word is ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

I was happy to know that I had helped my new ‘family’ expand their vocabulary, and with that, I disappeared.

Now open your mind and heart, glance at this menu, and enjoy your banquet of life!

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN 2025– Don Hanley’s blog #74

I continued to think about the problem of evil and God. I had given up believing that God created physical evil, like floods, to punish people for being sinners, but I continued to wonder why God created such a fragile world for us to live in. I hoped to talk to Mary and John about this.

After leaving my Nazarene family, I learned they continued discussing evil – punishment and natural disasters. John shared with me that Jesus did not consider floods, earthquakes, tornados, and other natural disasters as being God’s creation. He said that Jesus did not believe the planet was too fragile. He said that Jesus never discussed the cosmology of the universe at all. He said these things happened because all created entities are finite, fragile, and therefore breakable.

John waited for Joshua to join us and for Julie, Ruth and the baby to leave us and go into the house. He then shared that he  had known evil personally as his brother was murdered by the Romans. Mary, Joshua and I responded in the only way we felt were appropriate – a loving silence and our presence.  The only 'sin' James had committed was to criticize the Roman officers of being harsh. John continued that he believed that God did not stop us from being mean and murderous, but we can avoid being evil in our actions by following our friend Jesus and continued to make the decision to be life-giving and loving rather than, in any way, being hurtful or destructive toward other people and to Yahweh's beautiful creation. 

Joshua said, "The Paul that woke up in our house after being in that coma for weeks, didn't seem to be the kind of person who could even stand around and watch someone being stoned to death. Do you two know what I mean?"

John shook his head as if he was working to shake an answer into his brain. He thoughtfully said, "Joshua, you and Ruth exudes the kind of warmth and compassion that Jesus often talked about and lived and Paul felt your love, even when he was in that coma. So, I think he found a link between his very active brain and his heart while he was with you."

I jumped in, "And, Joshua, I agree with John. And now, from what I observed being around Paul those days, is that he learned how to be fully human when he was in your home."

"But neither Ruth nor I couldn't even come close to being as smart as Paul is. I know he intimidated me. How could I be teaching him anything?" Joshua looked totally mystified.

"Jesus, as I understand him, put a great deal of emphasis on knowing with the heart and enabling the mind/brain to understand Yahweh, and people, and even in some ways the animals on being deeply connected with Yahweh and all of creation." John paused and looked at me and asked, "Don, do you teach this and do those who live in your century, believe or follow Jesus, believe this?"

"I would like to say that they all do but, to be honest, I think that it is only a minority who do. Many others mouth the words but have not nurtured their brains and their hearts to be and stay connected in such a way, and be strong enough, not to follow others who are forceful leaders who only desire to have power over others." And with this I vanished, so...

 Continue to nurture your brain and heart connection and notice the many menus but don't eat them - just enjoy the banquet. 

MY VISIT TO THE DEVINE TRINITY – Don Hanley’s blog #75

Last night, I had a delightful experience meeting with the Devine, at least audibly, as often displayed by many 21st-century believers. And now I want to share it with my Nazarene friends:

First, I heard a voice say, “Don, we’re trying to get your attention with what we hoped would be an adventurous trip to enlightenment. We're not sure you were getting it, so we decided to find out if you would hear our words. So . . . ”

I interrupted the voice, “I hear you. or at least a voice. Who is the ‘we’?”

“Perhaps ‘we’ is misleading as we are truly just one, and I’ll name them God, Allah, and Yahweh. Or perhaps you would prefer Spirit or Holy Spirit. We have been ‘in’ and ‘with’ you and all of creation forever. Only recently have you humans had the gift of mindful thinking and reflection on all that is. Think of us; we’re calling ourselves a Trinity, as the divine Spirit that enriches and enlightens all of creation – we are the Council of All That Is. Some of your more semi-enlightened humans managed to minimize us as small-minded gods that must be worshiped and adored. We desire to manifest our loving power in all our creation. “  

I continued, puzzled, “I thought I was doing that over the last ten years. Am I failing to get it done?”

I thought I heard a bit of chuckling and then, “Well, Don, we like this blog thing you are doing, and you’re telling everyone about your visiting Jesus’s Mom, Mary, and the apostle John, and that delightful young couple, Joshua and Ruth, but we fear that people will think they are just the ramblings of a doddering old man.

Be more forceful about the so-called Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Of course, you say that God is the Father, but the Son, Jesus, is Our Son, just as you are – and every other human male and all the human females are our Daughters. And we do not care what you call us – and it is horrible that you humans fight, wage war, and even kill one another over which group is saying and shouting the correct thing. Perhaps we were wrong to tell you that we -Allah, God, and Yahweh - are the Trinity. Jesus, while he was walking on earth, was one of our greatest and most enlightened teachers and messengers. Look what happened to Him! He was murdered at the insistence of a faction of his so-called people!” The voice stopped, I think, to make sure I had time to let it sink in.

Then the voice of my ‘new’ Trinity continued: “There have been many other very enlightened messengers. There were Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Albert Einstein, Carl Jung, and others in your own time. Many others mixed up their organization with our message that we wish for everyone everywhere to be loving and connecting beings caring for one another. Don, do you get this?”

Of course, I said, “Yes!”.

My Nazarene family stayed awake while I read my notes about this entire interview, and I asked, “Mary and John, would Jesus agree with all of this?” They nodded, and John and Mary said, “Definitely—that is Jesus’s message!” And I joyously disappeared. 

Please open your heart and mind and love everyone. Don’t eat the menu; participate in the banquet of life!

The Christic - Don Hanley’s Blog #73

CHRISTIC

I saw this poem and liked it and decided to share it with Mary, John, Ruth and Joshua. I read it to them, and both Mary and John said that Jesus would love it, and the young couple were 'blown away'. Here it is on my blog:

I am looking at a tree, but I see such astounding beauty and graciousness, the tree must be You, O God,                                                                                                                                                         I look at the wild weeds playing across the fields and their wild, joyful freedom speaks to me of You, O God.

Yesterday, I saw a child crying alone on a busy corner, and
the tears were real, and I thought, you must be crying, O God.

God, you are the mystery within every leaf and grain of sand,
in every face, young and old, you are the light and beauty
of every person.  You are Love itself. 

 

Will we ever learn our true meaning, our true identity?  

Will we ever really know that we humans are created for  

love?  For it is love alone that moves the sun and stars 

and everything in between. 

 

We are trying too hard to find You, but You are already here,  

We are seeking life without You, but You are already within,  

Our heads are in the sand, our eyes are blinded by darkness, our minds are disoriented in our desperate search for meaning. Because You are not what we think You are: 

 

You are mystery.  

You are here, and You are not,

You are me and You are not,  

You are now, and You are not, 

You are what we will become.  

You are the in-between mystery 

The infinite potential of infinite love,  

And it is not yet clear what You shall be,  

For we shall become something new together.

Now, in the Christmas of 2924, let us become this new being - with everyone!

SEARCHING FOR A SAVIOR- Don Hanley’s blog #72

I suppose that many, if not most, nonagenarians find themselves reminiscing about their years roaming around on this little planet of ours. Of course, I do. One of the many ideas that I learned and held on to, and feel ashamed that I did, was the belief that one must be baptized a Catholic Christian if I, or anyone, wished to go to heaven. There was no word about becoming a loving person. Of course, that is ridiculous, but I’m sure many thousands (millions??) continue to believe this. And many other Christian believers hold similar beliefs. I was in my 30s when I finally realized that idea was ridiculous. How in the world could a loving God create intelligent – at least in some ways - humans and then demand that they learn and accept certain beliefs to be with Him (never even considering that God is a Her) in heaven?)

I wanted to talk to John and Mary about this. I didn’t have to wait long. Mary, John, and Joshua were sitting in Mary’s flower garden. John gave me his more comfortable chair, and I was grateful. Mary looked at me and said, “Don, you look inquisitive and maybe even guilty. Tell us what’s going on with you.”

“Well, I’m ashamed to tell you that I was taught many wr0ng-headed things as I grew up in a family of devout Catholic Christians. One teaching that particularly bothered me was that only baptized Catholics could be with God our Father. when we die. All others would go to purgatory, limbo, or hell. The church leaders, the pope, bishops, and priests all claimed that the Church’s teachings came from Jesus before he died. I was looking forward to talking to you all about what Jesus taught. What did the Mosaic tradition say about this salvation thing?”

Mary and Joshua turned to John, and he said, “First, I want to repeat what I have already told you all, and that is that Jesus only stated that if we wish to be with Yahweh, our Father, we must love one another as He has loved us. And now that he has been crucified, we know that the ultimate sacrifice is to even die for our loving rather than stop loving. And He meant this for every human in our world.  He repeatedly said, "It is not an exclusive club or set of beliefs; it is based on our love – not on what we believe. And I am not anyone’s savior – each one of us is responsible for saving ourselves by being loving human persons." I don’t think Jesus could have made it any clearer. Now, Don, what is going on in your century that this is still a question?”

I don’t think John meant to put me down, but I felt scolded and like a complete dummy. I thought of the bookstore racks displaying books entitled COMPUTERS FOR DUMMIES, SMARTPHONES FOR DUMMIES,  and many more.  We need a book entitled SALVATION FOR DUMMIES. After that brief reflection, I said, “Yes, I’m afraid it is still a question. My own Catholic Church states that we have been told that  is an absolute 'trruth", and we must believe all  church 'truths' and keep all the rules of the church or CHURCH if we want to go to heaven. Another sect even condemns dancing. For many years, I believed everyone was judged by how well they kept the church's commandments. I knew a wonderfully loving and intelligent man who had five children and did not make love with his wife because it would jeopardize her health - her life even - if she were to get pregnant again. I tried to convince him that I was sure God did not operate that way. He said he knew that intellectually but remained fearful anyway. I hated it that fear overcame love and joy.”

Mary immediately jumped in, “Now, Don, I want to join in here and be absolute, too. I am sure that Jesus did NOT, in any way, condemn people for doing what they believe will help keep them physically healthy and emotionally joyous and loving.”… and with that positive note, I disappeared. Now . . . 

Ponder the joy of being your own savior and read a few prominent menus but eat the banquet joyfully.

Christmas 2024 - Don Hanley's blog #71

MERRY CHRISTMAS - my 63rd. Personal card.

Mary said, "My Son, Jesus, would love his poem."

There’s something to know; it’s simple, it’s true.

There’s something to learn, and we’re here to grow, too.

Look deep in your heart, let it shine, let it glow.

For you’re not alone, no matter where you go,

There is something you need to know

We are beautiful, yes, but not like a tree,

We’re made to connect, both you and like me.

And we celebrate a Guy, a bit like you,

He came from God with a message that’s true.

He’s more loving, even than dear old Mom,

And He told us to cheer, so come on, and stay calm.

Let’s connect with each other; don’t be afraid.

For we’re fragile, it’s true, but love never fades.

So open your heart, join the fun with a heart

The world needs your love, your kindness, your heart!

For smarts aren’t enough if love isn’t there.

So live big and be bold – show the world that you care.

DOES GOD CREATE EVIL? - Don Hanley’s blog #70

I just read a brief biography of St. Paul of Tarsus, which stated that Paul had witnessed the stoning to death of St. Stephen the Apostle by one of the Jewish factions operating under the rule of the Roman Empire. This worried me about the depth of Paul’s conversion to become a faithful follower of Jesus. I believe Paul was the mastermind who helped make Jesus’s mission an organized religion with its many rules and absolute beliefs. I wanted to talk to my Nazarene ‘family’ about this.

When I arrived back at Mary’s flower garden, I was glad to see that John and Joshua were the only ones there. John immediately said, “Oh, Don, I’m glad to see you. I hope you can help us with a profound question Joshua asked me.” 

I replied, “And I have one for you, too. So, you go first.”

“Joshua just heard the story of how one of Jesus’s followers, Stephen, was stoned to death at the hands of one of the Jewish factions for being blasphemous when he called Jesus a prophet and possibly the Son of Yahweh. It takes a great deal of murderous rage by quite a few people to stone a person to death, as I’m sure you know. So, this raises several questions for Joshua and, really, for all of us. Why does God create and allow evil? And, after allowing or creating it, why does He not stop it when it begins or is happening? And how could Jesus say that God is love if this happens? Now, what do you say about all this?” 

I was amazed that John’s questions were, in essence, the same as mine. It also added more about the depth of Paul’s conversion to becoming a follower of Jesus. “This is amazing, John. I wondered about Paul’s understanding of Jesus’s teaching about love and life. I had just read about Stephen having been stoned to death and that it was at the hands of some Jewish believers and not by the Romans, and John was there when it happened. The article did not say whether or not Paul participated in the stoning or approved of it, but he did nothing to stop it.  We saw Mary leave Joshua and Ruth’s house and head our way. “John, did Jesus ever mention that Yahweh did or did not intervene in his creation?”

“I don’t recall him ever calling it that, but he often would say something like this: “We don’t know how Yahweh relates to all creation.  Let’s ask Mary when she gets here?” 

Mary welcomed me warmly and sat down after kissing me on the forehead. She looked around at the three of us and said, “Now you all look worried; what is it?” We told her, and she replied, “I remember him once saying that Yahweh must be asleep when we were returning from Jerusalem and seeing a row of men having been crucified and were hanging beside the road. He was trying to make light of it but was crying copiously as he said this. Later, we talked about the horror of men, both Jewish, Romans, and everyone who tortured and killed others. At other times, he insisted that our human mandate was to care for one another and all of creation, never harm them.” 

We all nodded, and John asked me what Christians were saying in the 21st. Century. I responded. “Too many continued to say that evil things happened because humans sinned. Many said that humans just did bad things because they had not been ‘saved’ by being baptized and having faith in Jesus.” I added, “And many are turning away from all religions who believe in a personal god that intervenes in our lives and acts like a puppeteer and constantly manipulates us and our reality. I like the ideas of a modern 20^th-century Jewish thinker named Albert Einstein, who stated that he believes we must believe in God so that we do not become mechanical robots.” I took some time to tell them about robots. “Einstein says that love, and therefore God, is a kind of gravity and is a force or compelling energy that holds everything together – and we humans are the one part of our present civilization that must choose to help connect this positive growth and to do it together with other humans.” 

Mary nodded and said, “I don’t quite understand this Einstein fellow, but I like the idea that we must connect to create a better world. Jesus would like that, too."

John added, “This love gravity force we have must be very powerful to hold everything together, and that doesn’t answer whether or not Yahweh creates some people to be evil.”

“The article I read about Einstein’s thinking didn’t directly give us an answer, but, as you said, John, it takes a great deal of evil or evil power to stone a person to death. We have, I believe, a great deal of power, and we can choose to use it in evil ways such as engage in wars and kill people, or enslave people, and hurt people in many ways.”

Mary added, “And punish children when we declare we are ‘just’ teaching them proper behavior. I think Paul was punished that way when he was a child. I hope he revisits us some time; I would like to discuss whether God creates evil with him. I would say that God creates the energy we possess, and we must decide how to use it. Of course, my son, Jesus, taught me repeatedly that we must love one another. And, of course, he was willing to die for that belief!” She stopped and allowed herself to cry. And I was crying too as I disappeared. Now . . . 

“Ask yourself if you are keeping an open heart and working to connect with others, not eating the menu but enjoying the banquet.”