WHAT IS TRUTH? – Don Hanley’s blog #80

When I was about six years old, I was told everything in the Bible, and somehow i expanded that to all adults and whatever they told me. I believed everything they said or wrote was true. The first biblical creation story was about the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, and everything in the Bible was true. I was in college before I learned there were two creation stories. Wait a minute; they cannot both be true, so why was I only told about the Adam and Eve story?

Now I believe it was because it was ‘sexier’ (that is, a more exciting and interesting story). I told a friend who was what I called a ‘bible thumper’ – one who believes that every word in that good book is the absolute truth dictated by God Himself – and she said she didn’t think there were two stories. I asked her to read the first three chapters of the bible to see. Later, I asked her if she found the second story. She nodded but never said a word or ever brought it up again. And I believe most of us prefer to continue to believe what we were told by our beloved early teachers, like parents, grandparents, and other trusted and loved ‘teachers,’ rather than change our minds.

Truth (I believe) means that written or spoken words reflect reality as we see it and/or understand it. Truth is not the reality but reflects reality in words – written or spoken. Most Christians believe that the Bible is a book that reflects reality, and if he or she is a ‘true believer,’ all Bible words are actually part of reality. So, God created the world and everything in it in six days, and then He rested on Sunday. Some believers claimed that the word ‘day’ could also mean an era or any length of time, not just 24 hours. Anyway, I wanted to ask John and Mary what Jesus had to say about ‘the truth.’

I joined Mary, John, and Joshua that evening in Mary’s flower garden. After we exchanged pleasantries, I asked John what he thought about biblical truth. At that time, biblical truth meant only the Old Testament because the book we call the New Testament had not yet been written. John was probably the most literate of the apostles—at least until Paul was accepted into that august group.

He said, “The sacred writers or oracles as most of the pages were passed down through the ages orally as few could read and, of course, the majority still cannot. Anyway, the truth to be conveyed was what they believed Yahweh intended to convey. For example, there are two creation stories, and the basic message is that we are to believe that Yahweh is the one and only God and He created everything and everyone. The most interesting story is the most delightful about Adam and Eve. Of course, it doesn’t make sense that everyone was descended from one couple. And I think the prevailing belief, over the years, is that Yahweh is a benevolent God, and if we are estranged from Him, it is our fault, not His, because he is always positive and wishes us to be good and positive too.”

I responded, “It seems quite unfair to believe that all the good things that happen in our world are the work of God, and all the bad or evil things that are done are caused by us creatures. Did Jesus ever talk about this? And what would Jesus say about his followers saying that some of his words were the ABSOLUTE TRUTH? And–we must believe them to be with him in heaven?” I waited for their responses.

John rubbed his chin, and Mary looked thoughtful. John finally said, “I am sure that Jesus DID NOT want anything he said to be considered the ABSOLUTE truth and more than thoughtful guidelines. I suppose some ideas come across as true and seem to be true, and now, I‘m trying to remember if Jesus ever talked about it. I believe in Yahweh's goodness and can’t imagine Him creating evil. Right now, I can’t remember ever discussing this with him.” John turned to me and added, "You know Don, you bring up ideas that I don't think we ever even talk about around here. You should have been with us when we visited the Greek philosophers. Now they did talk about a lot of these things and, now that I mention them, I remember Jesus saying that he thought that they should spend more of their time figuring out how to live in a more peaceful and caring world. I guess he wasn't interested in  philosophy.

Mary, still looking thoughtful, added, “The only thing I can remember Jesus saying about the deepest beliefs was that it was all a great mystery, and the clearest things he ever said that I heard are what he said from that horrible cross; "Yahweh, why have you forsaken me?’" And then, Father, “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” I guess he and we will have to live with the mystery of all this. I’m satisfied with the truth that there is one true God, and he is our loving Father. If we love Him and one another, we will be with Him for an eternity. And I don’t know what eternity is – only that it is blissful and wonderful. I like that TRUTH. And I hope you do also.” 

I loved what Mary said, and I took a deep breath and disappeared. Now . . . 

 Keep your mind and heart open, and do not merely ponder the written or spoken words but stay connected to your family and friends.

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.

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.” 

JESUS AND THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF PEOPLE - Don Hanley’s blog #69

Leo Tolstoy, author of WAR AND PEACE, stated that the leader of any country reflects the consciousness of the people of that country. Consciousness is how people of that country act, think, and move about in this world. That is why I’m now worried about my country, the United States of America, which just elected a man who, I believe, is a bully and mean-spirited fellow who doesn’t seem to care about others. And I think that we, I mean all of my fellow citizens in our 21^st century, are doing something similar with our insistence that we must take care of ourselves and not worry or be bothered by what others think or NEED. 

I wonder if Jesus was thinking similarly as he repeatedly said that we must believe and love others and ‘love’ ourselves. I look forward to discussing this with Mary, John, and the others when we meet again.

And I didn’t have to wait long. Mary, John, Joshua, and Julie were joyfully chatting in Mary’s flower garden. After hugging and kissing all around, I told the little gathering about Tolstoy’s ideas about leaders. All four adults began thinking about these ideas as Ruth breastfed Izzy – i.e., Isiah. I had introduced the name ‘Izzy’ a few weeks earlier when I mentioned I had a teacher named Isiah, and we called him Izzy. Ruth and Joshus liked it. Ruth left us to put Izzy to bed and stayed there with him.

John looked thoughtful as he said, “I like your Tolstoy and believe it is true. Does he say anything about the leader needing people who are very needy and dependent?”

“It has been long since I’ve read Tolstoy, but I believe he did. And that would explain why people here in Judea clamored for Jesus to be their savior and why Hitler, Lenin, and our new 21^st-century leader all said they were going to take care of everyone.” Mary, Josua, and John all shook their heads.

John said, “Jesus often said that the various Jewish leaders, whether they are Pharisees, Sadducees, or whatever, had so many devoted followers – who did not know that they had the power to know and understand themselves and had the freedom to choose what kind of laws they needed and wanted to follow. And, he would always add that whatever they chose to believe and to believe in, it must be life-giving and loving and that each one, in connection with others, has the power to make it so.”

Mary added, “Jesus insisted on this from when he was a small child.” She chuckled and said, “Joseph and I didn’t know what he was talking about, but we kept listening to him and learning. We had learned that all we needed to do was follow what was taught by the leaders – and we needed to be with one of the groups, like the Pharisees or Sadducees or whomever.  To my knowledge, no one told us we should think for ourselves first.”

John grinned, saying, “That would take everyone away from them. Don, will this new leader of yours try to do that?”

“He’s going to try. Our country’s founding fathers …” 

Mary interrupted me, “Why didn’t they include some women - some founding mothers? They would have made it even better, no?”

“If it happened in our current 21^st century, they could have, and it would have made it better. Even as it was, the founding fathers wrote in the Constitution of our country three branches of government that needed to cooperate to take care of governing business. And Mary. did you and Joseph belong to any of the many groups of Jews here in Judea?” 

“No, we did not. Before Jesus was old enough to get us to thinking, we just followed the other Jews who followed the Mosaic laws – rather obediently, I guess you’d say. Looking back, I guess you would call us no-brainer faithful Jews.” She chuckled. “Jesus made us thoughtful Jews, and we began to do things and believe things only if they made sense and were what Jesus called life-giving.”

“I guess my parents and my family could have been called ‘no-brainer Catholic Christians’, and I think most of what they did was life-giving, too.”

John had been listening carefully and said, “I suppose this newly elected fellow believes that he is the 21^st century ‘Anointed One’ who will take care of you all.” I nodded and said, “I’m afraid so.” And with that, I disappeared …Now

“Keep an open and hopeful heart and mind, and don’t eat the menu and enrich the banquet of your life.”

CHRIST IS NOT JESUS’S LAST NAME – Don Hanley’s blog #68

As I arrived back in Nazareth, I was still in a somewhat depressed mood. Mary, John, and Joshua were waiting for me, as there was a vacant chair between them. They greeted me warmly, as usual. Mary opened our discussion, “Well, my time traveler friend, are you still moping about your election in your current 21^st-century home?”

I asked her, “What makes you think I’m moping?”

“Because you look like it – your smile is gone.”

“Yeah, I’m so darn sad about that damned election. You know, the very strict so-called Christians believe that this no-heart fellow was elected because God wanted them to. I wish there was an easy way to teach people that the real God does not order people to do anything, He just wants them to connect with one another in a loving way! But tonight, help me forget it, and let’s discuss whether or not I want to find out if the word ‘Christ’ was given to Jesus before He was murdered?”

Mary shook her head, not to say it was not true, but that she didn’t like it. John said, “I’m afraid many did. Of course, you know that it means ‘the Chosen One’ or the ‘Anointed One’; worst of all, they saw Jesus as the ‘Messiah’ who would lead the Jews out from under the yoke of Rome. I think the Jewish people were so hungry to have a leader who could free us from the Romans, and they liked the giftedness of Jesus that they insisted that he was the special one – the Messiah. Jesus insisted that he was only the Son of Man; he wanted every human to realize they could be connected, loving, and gifted. He repeatedly said that he, perhaps, was gifted in a way that allowed him to accept and love himself and others in a life-giving way, but he was not Yahweh nor the one and only son of Yahweh or the one we call our Father. Don, do the followers of Jesus in your home century know this and know that they are gifted in the same way Jesus was?”

I hated to tell John the terrible news that the vast majority of those who called themselves Christians were not in touch with the fact that they were gifted with the ability to love as Jesus did. They continued to hold on to the notion that Jesus was, and is, God – and one of the three persons in a small God. Three – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- Jesus was and is on a completely different plane of existence from them. Mary shook her head, and John looked dismayed and said, “Do they, at least, realize that they have the giftedness in them that Jesus displayed in his earthly life?”

“Only the very holy ones whom they call ‘Saints.’ These saints are usually very conforming men and women who slavishly follow what they were told were Jesus’s commandments. I often heard ‘Christians’ say that the really ‘holy’ ones should just join a religious order of men and/or women and not bother the rest of us. So, many have done that and become very enlightened folks and do a great deal for one another and for other humans, Christian or not. I thought of joining one of those groups, but I wanted to be like my idol, Father Chisholm, who went to another country to tell them about Jesus.” I added, “And John, you stated in your  own Gospel that Jesus was the Messiah, didn’t you?”

John seemed a bit taken aback: “You know that my writings were not published in my lifetime, and it is possible that someone edited them so that they conformed to what was becoming the common belief of followers of Jesus. That makes me sad.”

John continued, “I would like to return to the formal names people here in Judea called my friend and mentor, Jesus.  Jesus repeatedly said that all of God’s children, old and young, black, brown, white, or whatever, were the same in God’s eyes. He detested the fact that too many societies formed special castes for different groups - and claimed to know God in a way that no one else could, and so they were the Chosen People to the exclusion of everyone else. He disliked that many passed this ‘specialness’ on to the next generation. A person could be chosen as a leader, like a king, but he should see himself as a servant of the people, not someone superior or able to order people around. He said that if everyone learned about and followed his ideas and created groups of folks who would help, cooperate, and love one another, then we would not need police and lawmakers.” John took a deep breath and slumped back into his chair.

I said, “Well, John, we in the 21st century have not made it much further. Too many so-called Christians are eating the menus as Mary said Jesus called those who did not live as they professed to do.” I paused and added, “But I believe there is an evolution of consciousness, which makes me hopeful.” … I then disappeared.

Please open your heart and mind and enjoy the banquet of life. Comment on this blog or help me find hope in our 21^st election.

WE ALL HAVE SPECIAL GIFTS – NO NEED TO ENVY OTHERS – Don Hanley’s blog #58

I was looking forward to seeing Julie and her new smile and discussing our gifts as I walked around my 21^st-century world. I am happy to learn that we, here in our country, will (hopefully) have an energetic, thoughtful, and joyful woman president. I want to be able to explain this to my first-century Nazarene friends easily, but it would take too long and distract them from what is more critical: Julie’s surgery and recovery and their love for one another.

Fortunately for me, I didn’t have to wait long. I arrived right after the evening meal, and Julie looked good two days after her surgery. Her upper lip was swollen and red, but she could smile wonderfully. I hobbled over and kissed her forehead, and she opened her arms. Ruth and Mary seemed to give me a warmer smile than usual. Joshua looked like the proud papa who even performed the miracle operation. He said, “Newsome does have a gift for performing surgery. I hope Ruth’s admonition may have helped him become more human. I think he did smile a time or two before he left.” John and Paul nodded, and John added. “I think there is a heart in there somewhere.”

I looked at Mary and said, “Yes, we discussed being gifted. And I think your son Jesus was, or is, gifted with a powerful ability to understand himself and others more deeply than, perhaps, anyone in the history of humanity. And Mary, how early in his life did you realize how gifted he was?”

“I think I realized it before he was born, but perhaps all new mothers feel this way. He smiled a lot the first day, I think, and Joseph was holding him the first week, and Jesus laughed.”

I added, “I just read that a tribe of Native Americans in my homeland, named Navajos, date the birth of their babies as the day he or she laughs for the first time. The laugh is a sign that the baby is wholly human. Ruth, I hope you helped Dr. Newsome become more human.” Joshua, Mary, John, and Paul laughed. 

John said, “And back to gifts, I was very pleased when Jesus told me that I had a gift of easily connecting with people, and earlier in my life, my mother said I had a gift for languages and writing. Paul, what are some of your gifts?”

“I never thought of my abilities that way, but it is a good way of understanding ourselves. Like you, John, I have a gift for languages, I guess, because I can read and speak Greek, Latin, Aramaic, and Hebrew. And I can write some of each, which I am thankful for. And John, I have a question for you, I heard from someone that Peter, the fisherman, was chosen by Jesus to be the leader of his apostles. Is that true?”

John rubbed his chin and said, “I guess you could say that. Peter was the group's oldest member and seemed to be a good leader. Just before the Romans dragged Him off, he asked Peter to see that we had stayed together and deepened our connection. And I believe that Peter does have a gift of leadership.”

As they were talking, I thought that the followers of Jesus lost some of their giftedness when they began to emphasize what Jesus said and what they thought he wanted rather than developing their common gift of becoming more radiantly loving people. And with that, I disappeared. So now…

Please look at your giftedness, nurture them, and put more energy into them than you do in the words of your menu and add them to your gifts in your banquet.

HUMANS BEGAN TO THINK AROUND 200,000 YEARS AGO SO – Don Hanley’s blog #51

In the 21st century, we now think of Jesus, who lived 2,000 years ago, as ‘in ancient times.’ I believe that the enlightened people around that time – like Jesus, Confucius, Buddha, Plato, and others – yearn to see all humans realize that they are wise, loving, creative, free-thinking, and able to become enlightened. I guess the evolution of humans is a very slow process as it has taken 198,000 years, and we are more advanced technologically but still killing one another. I was thinking of this as I fell asleep.

My dream that night was of my journey to Nazareth, and I didn’t arrive in Mary’s flower garden; I was surprised to arrive in a smaller garden in front of the home of Ruth and Joshua. Mary, John, and Joshua were sitting in the garden, and I was told that Luke, Ruth, and Julie were in the little house with Paul. Paul still spent most of his time lying down. I wondered how Ruth and Joshua accommodated so many in such a small dwelling. As if reading my mind, Mary said, “When Paul first arrived, I told Ruth and Joshua that they could take care of their patient in my house, and I could stay in theirs. They would have none of that and have done quite well in their small home. They have been wonderful.”

Just then, three Roman soldiers rode their horses up to where we sat in front of the small dwelling. John and Joshua knew the lead horseman was the leader, as he had a regal-looking helmet and a commanding look. He dismounted, looked us over, singled me out, and said in Latin, “Who are you, and why are you dressed so oddly?”

“I am Don, and I am visiting Joshua and Ruth. And who are you?” I did my best to sound polite and relaxed. I wondered what language my translator angel would use. Thank goodness, he ignored me, looked at Mary, and said, “And who are you, old lady?”

“I am Mary, and I am visiting Joshua here,” Even though he turned his attention toward Joshua, she continued to tell the pompous character, “You and your fellow Romans killed my son, so I have no reason to be more than just polite to you. Why are you visiting our town?”

Mary sounded properly polite. Still, he ignored her reference to Jesus’s execution and responded, “I am searching for a Roman citizen named Paul of Tarsus and a Jewish physician named Luke. And I see two horses tied up behind this house. Could they belong to the two men I am seeking?”

Joshua responded, “Yes. They are here. Paul, only a few days ago, woke up from being in a coma for several weeks after being nearly killed in a landslide. My wife, Ruth, and I found him and his horse and brought him to our house. And Luke, only a few days ago, was also looking for him and is now looking after him as a physician. They are both in my house right now.”

The Roman leader handed the reins of his horse to one of the other soldiers and commanded Joshua to take him to see the two men. The instant he walked through the front door, we heard a loud shriek from Julie. The captain shouted, “Shut that brat up, or I’ll shut her up permanently!” He had his right hand on his sword. I think small children can recognize mean-spirited and heartless people quite easily.

I was sitting so I could see Ruth quickly pick up Julie and turn away from the arrogant bastard. Julie had never screamed when other visitors came to the house. The Roman marched through the small front room into the room where Paul was lying on his palette. We could not clearly hear the conversation, but we did hear the captain say, “Well, Paul, we will allow you to rest a bit longer, and now, Luke, you must come with us. Point your horse out to us, and we’ll prepare him for our journey to Jerusalem. Give these peasants the final word on how to care for Paul.” He ordered the two soldiers to prepare Luke’s horse.

Luke stood at the front door and told Ruth and Joshua, “I will return in a few days with my surgeon friend to come to Nazareth to help Julie.” He hugged Ruth and Joshua, chucked Julie under her chin, kissed her on the forehead, and mounted his horse. He didn’t look so happy, and for the first time, I was okay with disappearing. So, now . . .

Keep nurturing your heart, examining menus, and enjoying the banquets of life.

SAVORING THE POWER TO BE WITH - Don Hanley’s blog #48

For days, I reflected on the nature of love as my trio of friends in Nazareth talked about it. I thought of some people, both men and women, who I believed lived that kind of love. I also wondered how well I had lived it. Thinking about this prompted me to meet Mary and her visitors in another vivid dream. This time, the trio seemed quite excited that Paul had awakened. Joshua, Ruth, and Julie stayed home and ensured Paul was okay.

Again, Mary greeted me warmly, “Welcome, our 21^st. Century friend. Luke told us that Ruth and Joshua’s visitor, Paul, has awakened and is amazed at how well he feels emotionally. He is having a hard time realizing that he has been in a coma for three weeks or so. I was telling her that I was certain that he, in his entire life, had never experienced the kind of loving care that she, Joshua, and Julie have given him. She was about to argue with me when you showed up.”

“And I’ll bet you are right, Mary. And I'm beginning to believe that he is receiving the kind of love that Jesus wanted everyone on earth to express to everyone. I hope this fellow, Paul, begins to tell people about that rather than persecuting those who know how to love. What do you think, John and Luke?”

“It’s too soon to tell.” Luke added, “Physically, he will take several more days to heal sufficiently to get out of bed and do more time than it takes to go to the latrine. He is muttering about how wonderfully kind you and Joshua are to him.”

John added, “And, Don, I’m glad that you have recognized that Ruth and Joshua’s love is exactly what Jesus told us about and insisting that we all have the power to be so kind. We need to open our hearts and express it rather than be cruel, envious, and all the other ways that hinder us from being peaceful, creative, and gifted folks. Were you teaching this as a priest in your younger years?”

“I would like to say ‘Yes,’ but I was told about it, but I was not taught how to help others and be self-accepting. I think I was taught to be a kind of Christian Pharisee - spouting all kinds of so-called spiritual laws and ‘shoulds’ that everyone must do and keep if they wanted to get to heaven and be with the Father.”

The last time I was here, Ruth was kind enough to say that she experienced me as a lovingly kind person. I responded, “I can only say that being with Mary, John, Luke, and her has helped me to become more loving and kind. It is something that I believe we must experience, as John says, and not something that is taught like a language or doctrine.”

And with those ‘wise’ words, I vanished again; so, please . . .

Be the kind of person who radiates love and kindness and does not read the menus but enjoys the banquet of life.

What About All Those Miracles? - Don Hanley’s blog #45

I was glad to be back in my dreamland with Mary and John. Now, I’m wondering who I’ll get to meet this time. I seemed to have stayed in my dream, and I was surprised to meet Joshua, Ruth’s husband, and their beautiful little girl, Julie. Julie was attractive like her parents, but her face was marred by a cleft palate. Ruth was also with them and told me that Luke was watching Paul if he woke up or needed to be moved.

Mary smiled and said, “Welcome back, my new and very old friend. I want to introduce you to two of my favorite neighbors and friends, Joshua, Ruth’s husband, and their beautiful daughter Julie.”

I hobbled over and shook both of their hands. It was so nice to have Julie’s tiny hands in mine.” I’m so glad to meet you and Julie; you are as pretty as your mom.” She smiled, and Joshua told me she was just two years and two months old.

“I’m glad to meet you, Joshua. I hear you knew Jesus from the time you were a little boy. How old was Jesus when you first met him?”

He looked at Mary and said, “I think he would have been around ten, don’t you think, Mary?”

“I would guess that would have been about right. It was before Joseph, and I took him on a trip to Jerusalem because I remember you telling us after you learned that the so-called wise men there were astounded at his questions and even answers about Yahweh. You said, ‘They should come to Nazareth and spend a few days with Jesus. They would learn far more than they know now.’” Both she and Joshua chuckled.

Mary looked at me and added, “Joshua followed Jesus around.” She looked at Joshua and continued, “I think you were his most consistent student and helper, don’t you?”

I just had to ask Mary and Joshua, “If Jesus was still walking among us today, would he have helped Julie with her lip?” John and Luke looked at me like I was some idiot, and Mary, being more kind and polite, simply smiled.

After an uncomfortable pause, John answered, “You’ve been exposed to too many tales about Jesus that mistakenly describe Jesus as some magical miracle worker rather than the enlightened messenger who had good news for all people. And again, let me tell you that he repeatedly told us, his disciples, after being asked to perform a miracle for someone. “If I am gifted enough to perform these kinds of miracles, I would be sitting all day somewhere performing healings, and people would be waiting in long lines. I would not be able to do what I have been sent to do, which is to enlighten people about their own miraculous powers - given by our Father when he created us and has remained hidden for too many even now. All creation is a miracle – especially humans.” 

John continued to say that Jesus was present when a few people began to ‘see’ more clearly the true meaning of life. And often they told everyone, ‘I had been ‘blind’ but now could ‘see.’ And a few other experiences like that." I asked him about the wedding feast where Jesus turned the water into wine. John chuckled and told me that there was a rich wine maker and grower in attendance that day and he was notoriously stingy. When Mary told Jesus that they were almost out of wine, Jesus asked the rich wine maker if he could share some of his wine. The man was so moved by Jesus's reequest and concern, he sent a servant to his home to bring back more wine. Those of us who knew the man, called it a miracle. It would not have seemed worthy of note, if we had simply said, "Jesus asked a rich fellow to share some wine, but calling it a 'miracle' made it notable. 

Later Luke told us he had a physician and friend in Jerusalem did have the training to be able to operate on Julie's lip, and he would talk to him when he was back in the capital.

Of course, this discussion on miracles helped me understand  more clearly the nature of Jesus and his mission. I sighed a deep sigh of relief and … disappeared. So, now, please …

Nurture and open your heart, study the menus and begin or continue to enjoy the banquet.

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