WE HAVE NOTHING MORE TO FEAR THAN FEAR ITSELF–Don Hanley’s blog #87

I amended this now-famous phrase of FDR’s. I believe that Jesus of Nazareth also expressed similar sentiments in various ways throughout his public life. “I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly” is one of my favorite things Jesus said as he moved among the Judeans. Of course, he explained that every human being should not be afraid because we enter this world as gifted and loving individuals who are challenged to blossom into delightful persons. Unfortunately, many of us do not realize this and fearfully wander aimlessly around our little worlds, searching for someone to tell us what to do and how to live. Many die without realizing how wonderful they are because they are afraid to truly live.

All my life, I have wondered why I, and most other children, were so afraid to express ourselves naturally. I am thrilled to see a toddler who has been around adults encouraging him or her to enjoy themselves. Running, laughing, dancing, and having fun are delightful ways to engage with the world. The new ANNIE musical on Netflix displays such a delightful little girl.

Anne and I did our best to create that environment for our two daughters. When our oldest was about two years old, a friend and former classmate of mine, along with his wife and their four-year-old son, visited us at home. Their boy hesitated as he explored our space, quietly observing our daughter, who moved quickly and playfully around him. At one point, Elena dashed past him and headed for the kitchen where her mother was. During her swift journey, she accidentally knocked over my glass of water. She slowed down, noticed me getting up to grab a towel, and then continued to the other room. While I was cleaning up the water, my friend said, “Don, you didn’t scold her, spank her, or do anything after she spilled your glass!” I replied that it was an accident and she didn’t intend to knock over the water. I thought then, and still believe 50 years later, that scolding or punishing children when they are very young- and even as they get older- leads them to think that violence is common, necessary, and acceptable. They might continue to believe it is necessary.

I explored this idea with Mary, John, Ruth, and Josh. I left the discussion feeling confident that those faithful followers of Jesus and comfortable with their humanity are on the most favorable path. I still see too many children and adults who have had their spirits broken by fear-filled parents, teachers, and religious leaders. Both Mary and John were appalled to hear that many who claimed to be devout Christians still punished their children and believed it was necessary. They even quoted the minister I had mentioned months ago, who said, “If you have not broken your child’s spirit by the time he or she is two years old, you will have a monster on your hands.” 

Mary inspired hope in me when she said, “Well, the same spirit that empowered and enlightened my son, Jesus, is still alive and powerful in the world, so let us continue being KIND AND LOVING.” That made me feel a bit more relaxed when I disappeared. So . . . 

Continue to nurture your own and others' spirits and ability to be kind and life-giving. Spread the most positive menus, but don’t eat them; just enjoy the banquet.

JESUS’S TEACHINGS ON HUMAN SEXUALITY–Don Hanley’s blog #85

For about 85 years, I have pondered and worried about being a sexual being. I wanted to know what Jesus thought about it and why priests and sisters don’t marry or have sex. Now, at 92, I’m still dreaming about Jesus and His mother, and the next time I meet them in my dreams, I’m going to find the courage to ask John and Mary about sex. Remember, these are my (Don’s) imaginings, not historical 'facts.’ 

Two evenings later, I sat in Mary’s flower garden, waiting for my courage to arrive. If it were the 20^th century and I were with a group of men, I might share the story of the Jewish guy who yelled at God: “Hey God, you’re giving the Muslims all this oil and telling us Jewish men that we have to cut what? Off our penises?” But now, sitting with Mary, John, and Ruth, I’d need to explain who Muslims are and why oil matters so much, and of course, I’d have to muster even more courage. So I said, “I would like to learn more about what Jesus taught regarding human sexuality because many Christian believers carry a lot of guilt—especially young men.”

John replied, “First, I would say that Jesus viewed the human body – both male and female – as something precious and sacred. And, of course, the body is an extension of the soul and not a separate ‘thing.’ Jesus frowned upon words and jokes about our genitals and lovemaking, as well as all aspects of our sexuality.  I remember thinking that he was a far more joyful and happy person than most, if not all, Jewish rabbis and other teachers. He advised that boys and girls should not engage in sexual intercourse until they are married. Only then would they be able to nurture and care for children born from their union.” John paused, stroked his chin, and added, “Jesus wanted us to nurture our ability to love and connect and not diminish anything that undermines our loving in our thoughts, words, or actions.”

I said, “Would Jesus have condemned those who had sex before marriage? And those who did it out of pure lust?”

“Don, I truly hope you understand that Jesus never condemned anyone. He aimed to guide, teach, and encourage us to be caring and loving individuals who view ourselves and others as valuable extensions of God’s creative endeavors. If we misuse our gifts in a harmful manner, we need to change our behavior and mindset. In a sense, we are all meant to be co-creators and co-artists in God’s creation.” He paused for a moment and then added, “If you’re asking whether it would be sinful to engage with another person simply because we wanted a sexual partner, I’m sure Jesus would say it’s wrong if we used any kind of force, as it would diminish both ourselves and the other person if it were only for casual pleasure. Would that be life-giving, as you like to say?” I nodded. “I understand.”

“During my time as a priest, the sins that young men confessed most frequently were ‘impure thoughts’ and masturbation. What would Jesus have said to them?”

Mary joined the conversation, asking, “What do you mean by ‘impure thoughts’? Does that mean I was only thinking about hurting or condemning someone? What do you and your so-called sinners mean?”

I chuckled lightly and said, “I’m sure my ‘sinners’ were just thinking about sex – whether it’s with a girl, a woman, or someone of the same gender. This raises another question: What did Jesus teach about homosexuality?” I was beginning to relax as we spoke. Both Mary and John seemed quite comfortable, and Ruth was attentive.

Mary sounded incredulous when she remarked, “Are you really telling us that you and others were taught that simply thinking about sex is sinful? My goodness, your culture seems to be moving backward in some ways! I would expect that after 2,000 years, you would be more informed than that. Your teachers or priests sound like a bunch of dumb-bunnies” Of course that wasn't the word Mary used but our angelic translated it as that delightful term - dumb-bunnies."

I chuckled and responded. "Yes they were and many still are. I love your playful words."

"Thank you. Jesus taught me to be much more enlightened and playful with my words and thoughts about sex. In so many ways, he was so much more alive than our Jewish teachers. 

John added, “Regarding homosexuality, Jesus did indeed address that topic when he was asked why he hadn’t married. After all, he was thirty when he began teaching and his public ministry. I remember his response clearly, as I was also older than most Jewish men when they married. Jesus replied, ‘I am not homosexual, for I believe I must now dedicate my time and energy to revealing God’s will that all humans are gifted beings. We are so gifted that each of us can help others become more loving, kind, and connected than we are now. We must learn to appreciate our gifts and support one another and so please our Father. It’s not only about following Moses and other Jewish leaders' rules and laws. We are created to live a loving and creative life for the benefit of all, which includes all living things, not just humans." John went on to say that some men and some women were born to be most loving and sexually comfortable with those who are of the same gender as themselves. And some have a difficult time discovering which gender they are. And everyone, Jesus taught, had the challenge of becoming loving persons. 

I was disappointed when I disappeared because I had more questions. Now . . . 

Please continue to grow, create, and love. Also, keep thinking, studying, enjoying life, and embracing your gifts.

JESUS AND OUR WAY OF THE CROSS–Don Hanley’s blog #84

As a child, I asked why our church had these small statues depicting Jesus carrying His cross and then being crucified. I was told it was because He died for our sins. As I have said before, that did not make sense. Why would God create us and then send His Son to die in such a horrible way because we were sinners? My earlier visits with John and Mary in Nazareth confirmed my belief that the real reason Jesus was executed was that the Roman occupiers of Judea saw him as a threat to their rule by promising the Jews a better way of life. I wanted to learn more, but at the same time, I didn’t want to upset Mary by asking her why Jesus was given such a torturous death sentence. 

It didn’t take long for me to check it out since I sat with Mary, John, and Ruth in the familiar flower garden that evening. After greeting each other and chatting for a while, I asked Mary if she was open to discussing that terrible day when Jesus was captured by the Roman soldiers and taken away from his friends after what is known as the Last Supper. I also wondered why he was treated more harshly than the common criminals of that time. She resignedly replied, “If it’s helpful in some way.”

John jumped in before Mary could say more, “Mary, let me say a word about that before you share your experience, okay?” Mary nodded, and John continued, “Jesus had gathered a large following at that time. I mean, several hundred Jews began to follow him. Some were clamoring for him to reveal himself as the Messiah they had hoped for, for centuries, to be the one who would establish the kingdom of God, that is, Yahweh, on earth. They knew he would need to raise an army that could even defeat the mighty Romans. And while many were drawn to him, I don’t think they were the majority. They were moved by Jesus’s more peaceful message of caring for and loving one another, which was Yahweh's basic intention in creating humans. Most of these folks loved my friend, Jesus's warmth and kindness, and wanted to be near him. Anyway, the Romans and their Jewish muckety-mucks, the weak-kneed cooperators, thought he was causing too much trouble. Then, they found Judas and paid him to lead them to where Jesus and his closest disciples stayed. I’m proud to say I was among them but was not taken away because I was just a nobody.” He kept glancing to see if what he was saying was upsetting Mary. She had been wringing her hands but wasn’t crying. John stopped his narration and turned to her, “Now it’s your turn if you wish. Okay?”

She softly said, “Don, you mentioned that your Christian churches had small picture statues representing my son’s way of the cross. What were some of these images?” I told her about Jesus picking up the wooden cross and dragging it, falling several times, meeting her and some women from Jerusalem who gave him water and wiped his brow, and then being nailed to the cross.” Mary began to cry almost as soon as I started talking.

After hesitating momentarily, I added, “Oh, and there was one with a small sign above Jesus with the initials ‘INRI’ – meaning Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” I’m not sure how long it took to gaze at each one and silently say a prayer; I suppose it depends on how long each person prays.”

“I believe I told you some time ago that I asked one of the soldiers what he could do to shorten the time for my son to die. He then stabbed Jesus on his side., and blood poured out and hastened his death.”

I nodded that she had. By then, John, Ruth, and I were all crying with her. After what felt like a long while, I said, “Some believers say the reason Jesus was crucified was as you, John, said, ‘That he would die rather than stop loving his fellow humans – even the Romans.’ He neither had nor wanted the power to kill or prevent the Roman soldiers from doing what they had been ordered to do. He even prayed, ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.’” 

John said, “Of course, every one of us, believers or not, must realize that we humans must learn to love despite the many big and little ‘deaths’ that we experience in our own lives. Rather than become hateful, angry, revengeful, or sour people, we must learn this. From what you have told us, after many centuries, most Christians still have not learned this. I believe that Jesus did not die in vain, even if only a few have preferred loving rather than being hateful or killers.” I nodded and felt both sad and hopeful as I disappeared. Now . . .

Continue to love and accept your big and little ‘deaths’ and ‘resurrections’ and gaze upon Jesus’s way of the cross and own your own journey.

SCHOOL OF A THOUSAND SMILES - Don Hanley’s blog #78

Weekly, I see reports about how an increasing number of American teens and even pre-teens are committing suicide and being clinically anxious and depressed. And I often hear, “What in hell is wrong with these kids? Kids have never had it so good; they have everything they want.” Many articles want to see more mental health services available for these children and young people—many blame adolescents' time in front of their computers and being addicted to social media outlets.

No one seems to realize or even mention the emotional vacuum and inhumane these kids are living in these days. Even if it is nice, an empty house can still be cruel if there are few or only part-time caring people with and for them. Too many kids are saying, often silently, “Who gives a damn about me?”

I was sharing my concerns with my Nazarene cohort, and after telling them a bit about our big schools and how they are set up, I told them how I thought we should make our schools havens for warmth, compassion, and creativity. I told them that my ideal school has these characteristics:

1.    All school personnel are KIND and love children – from principals, teachers, and other school staff, including janitors. 

2.   All schools are Kindergarten through 12^th grades. We are too age-segregated now and need to be integrated. Even retired people help out.

3.    All classes are around 20 students and will be seated in circles rather than rows.

4.   Students will all have laptop computers and can be involved in discussing study topics – teachers are facilitators, not ‘fact givers,’ as students have ‘facts’ available on their computers and smartphones.

5.    Every student will be part of a 10-person cohort with a trained facilitator who will help them learn to care for themselves and one another.

This cohort will stay together with the same ‘tator’ (facilitator)) for four years and continue for four years with a new one. The cohort meets for 2 hours each week.                                      

6.   Each school day begins with all students, teachers, and other school personnel singing and dancing for 20 to 30 minutes each morning. Parents may join in.

7.    The primary concern for administrators is keeping students home when sick.

John nodded and said, “Wow, that sounds like a very positive and kind place to be with others. Each school would have about 250 students. That’s more than all the people of all ages here in Nazareth. And what is holding it back? It sounds like a wonderful plan.” Mary, Ruth, and Joshua all nodded.

“First is the centuries-old belief in an educational philosophy that is built on the idea that children must be ‘made’ to learn and even forced, with punishment, if necessary.”

Mary immediately spoke up, “I totally disagree with that philosophy, and your children should be thankful for such an opportunity. Jesus thought that all children everywhere wanted to learn and just needed to be taught to read, write, and do mathematics. He also thought that the Roman rulers and even the Jewish semi-rulers wanted them to remain ignorant so they would be subservient. Do your upper class still want your children to be ignorant?”

“They say that they do not, but they  just want to learn ideas and principles to help them be hard workers.”

John asked, “And do the places where they work treat them well?” I told him that some employers did and some did not and that it depended a lot on how many needed jobs at any one time. And with that, I vanished … Now, please.

Continue to open your heart and mind, study many menus, and then choose to enjoy the banquet of life.

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!

OUR MIND MUST BE CONNECTED WITH OUR HEART - Don Hanley’s blog #67

Last evening, I watched an inspirational movie entitled I CAN ONLY IMAGINE. I’ve never been a fan of Country-Western or Gospel music, but this is the story of a fellow who writes and sings both. He was alienated from his alcoholic Dad, and he had left his faithful girlfriend and joined a band. He is an excellent songwriter with a fantastic voice, but he didn’t make it ‘big’ until he had an ‘ah-ha’ experience of enlightenment and ‘found’ or ‘saw’ Jesus.

His singing and songs didn’t have ‘soul’ until he forgave his dad – who had a similar encounter with God- and reunited with his girlfriend. I wanted to tell my Nazarene folks about the film, but then I would have had to explain films, the Gospel movement, and modern culture more than I already have. So, I decided to try to explain my ideas that we needed to have the ‘right’ mind as it is connected to the open heart. I wanted them to know that I know that our heart needs to be connected to our brain to be truly enlightened, i.e., transformed into a total Christian follower of Jesus.

Again, John was the only non-Nazarene sitting with Mary and Ruth this evening. Joshua was with Julie and Isiah in the house. Both women greeted me warmly, and Ruth stood by to hug me. Mary was, like me, old enough to have the privilege of remaining seated. Mary had a topic she wanted to discuss, and it matched mine.

“Don, we’ve been talking about love a great deal – going back to when Jesus was a young lad. I remember one day when he was around twelve. We had gone to Jerusalem, and while Joseph and I were shopping, Jesus talked with a group of elders who spoke Greek and Hebrew. I spoke a little Hebrew, and neither Joseph nor I spoke Greek, but Jesus, to our surprise, seemed to learn both almost instantly. As the three of us were returning home, Jesus was very excited to learn that the Greek language had two words for love – Agape for Yahweh’s love for humans and all creation and eros for the positive feelings between a man and a woman and deep friendships. Jesus wondered if his love for his father and me was a combination of agape and eros because it was too strong to be only one. So, Don, what do you think? After all, you are, in a way, 2,000 years older than we are.” Ruth and John nodded in agreement.

 I was flattered that Mary would ask me about love as she was the living specimen of love – SHE IS LOVE! Anyway, I answered, “First, I want you to know that I’ve learned more about love, or being love, from meeting with all of you than I did in all my ninety-plus years of life. So, you validated and enhanced the ideas I had about love. I’m afraid that the Catholic Church, and Christians in general, have put too much emphasis on what we intellectually think about what Jesus said and stood for than they are about being kind, joyful, and experiencing love. Too often, I fear thoughts have become more important than being. Too often, our 21^st century Christians are more worried about being orthodox thinkers than being loving human beings.”

I continued with a personal experience: “When I was accepted as a candidate to become a priest by a very kind bishop, or high priest, I believe you would call him, I did not realize that I would be expected to conform to all kinds of restrictions to be a ‘good’ or respectful priest. Nor did I know that I would be expected to unconditionally accept as absolutely true all that I would be asked to memorize during my eight years of training.  But I thought I could still be like Father Chisolm in the film Keys of The Kingdom. Anyway, my accepting bishop had retired before I became a priest, and we got a new fellow who was very unkind and completely orthodox. One time, I celebrated Mass with a small group of nuns (I had explained earlier what a Mass was and who nuns were) without wearing all the required vestments. One of the nuns reported this to the bishop, and I was ordered to report to his office.

In a very tone of voice, he said, “Father Hanley, do you think that you know more about the sacred rites of our church than the holy congregation in Rome?” I knew he expected me to apologize and promise to be more obedient in the future, but after I hesitated a few moments, I said, “You know, Bishop, for a small group of nuns in Kansas, I believe I do.” The poor man turned crimson, shook, and yelled, “You, Father Hanley, are a Free Thinker! Get out of my office right now!”

“He confirmed what I had already believed but had not said aloud – We are born to be and/or become FREE THINKERS, and I believe Jesus believed that also.” Mary and John confirmed it, and I was satisfied with myself as I vanished. Now…

Please open your heart and ensure it is securely connected to your brain—not to someone else’s brain—and enjoy the adventure that is your life!  "And let us use this time to reflect, recharge, and emerge stronger than ever. And together we can create a brighter future."  Patrick Ball, my friend and mentor. 

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.

Mary is AGAST to Learn About Hitler – Don Hanley’s blog #49

When I’m struggling to stay awake, I do a lot of reading and writing; I enjoy being asleep and visiting with Mary, John, Ruth, Luke, and everyone who comes into our dream world. So, I was happy to return to my dreamy little town of Nazareth a few years after Jesus’s execution.

Again, Mary greeted me warmly, and after I sat in ‘my’ chair, Mary asked, “Well, Don, when you are awake back in the 21st century, what do you do all day? You can’t be doing much physically if you are as frail there as you appear here with us, so what do you do to keep out of mischief?” She chuckled, and Luke and John joined her.

“Well, I do a lot of reading and some writing. I've written a few books since I retired from counseling and teaching. I am writing a novel I’m calling School of St. Smiles, about what I hope will become the kind of schools we’ll have in the future.

I thought of you, Mary when I came up with the title because your smile inspires me to live more fully and lovingly.” She acknowledged me with that smile. I went on, “The book I’m currently reading is a fictional story about two young and intelligent American women before and during the Second World War.  I tried to explain 19th and 20th-century politics and got many questioning faces. So, I returned to the book I was reading and said, “It is based on true happenings here on earth and starts around the time I was born in 1933. What I found most discouraging is that at that time, nine out of ten German people professed to be Christians, and yet they allowed a fellow named Hitler to become the emperor of Germany. Germany is a large country, about a thousand miles north of Judea. In only a few years, under orders from Hitler, the people there amassed a war machine that killed at least six million Jews and other people he, and his fellow henchmen declared undesirables simply because of the color of their skin or ethnic background or any other reason Hitler declared were undesirable. Some real loving Christians were added to the list of undesirables, and they were executed as well. I think that Hitler would even make a Roman emperor look nice.”

Mary turned white, and I feared she would faint as I talked about all this. She, John, Luke, and Ruth were shocked into silence for several minutes. Finally, Mary took a deep breath and murmured, “You said that most of these Germans who followed or obeyed Hitler called themselves ‘Christians’? How in the world could they dare to say that? Did they know what Jesus taught and what they needed to do if they truly wanted to be his followers?”

I looked at all four of my shocked friends and said, “I don’t know, but I do know that throughout history, most people follow men who come across as strong leaders who they believe will help them be safe and may even become prosperous. And I think that schools too often explicitly tell students to be quiet, sit still, do what they are told, and think only what the teacher tells them to think. That, to me, is indoctrination and not education. Tell me what you think about what Jesus would say about that.”

Luke was the first one to respond, “Jesus always told us to explore what we hear from learned people thoroughly and to compare what we hear from as many sources as possible and also listen to our own heart, and then follow our best and most life-giving ideas and then make a tentative decision as best we can. Our decision must be tentative but not absolute nor unchangeable.” John added, “Luke, that is a real mouthful, and I agree that it reflects what Jesus wanted and what we all must do to have a loving, creative, and peaceful world. again I'll declare that Jesus never said anything that he thought was absolutely to believe and to do and that is to believe and to become loving people. And that we all have the power within us to do that!” So it is not even important to even know who Jesus is or was." 

I loved what Luke and John said, and I wanted to hear more, but darn it, I vanished from the group – so . . .

Please open your heart, follow Luke’s and John's words, but don't just listen to them but live them.

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.

Still Waiting for Paul and Meeting Luke - Don Hanley’s blog #44

I was very pleased that I came right back to the dream with Mary, John, and Ruth. The last time I had learned that Paul of Tarsus, the fellow who had been persecuting the Jews, especially those who had become followers of Jesus. He was now in a coma and right here in Nazareth. I was still in ‘my’ chair in Mary’s flower garden, and John explained Paul’s letter in his horse’s saddle bag.

After Mary gave me her warm welcome-back greeting, John said, “I do believe this man in Joshua and Ruth’s house is the fellow who has been sending some Jews, who are devoted to Jesus, to jail and even condemning them and ordering them to be beaten. I know both John and Ruth knew Jesus well and that he even helped Joshua, Ruth’s husband, build latrines here in Nazareth. And I’m sure Jesus would approve of them helping care for Paul after his accident. Jesus often said, ‘Love one another and even your enemies.’

Ruth added, “Of course, Jesus would have approved of our helping this fellow. We did not know at first what he had done to those who followed Jesus, but even if we had, we would have taken care of him. Don, Mary, and John tell me that you, twenty-one hundred years before now, still believe in Jesus. So, I would you ask such a question?”

“I am still working to understand Jesus’s true nature and mission.  Most of those we call Christians in the 21^st century believe Jesus was God and man – fully God and fully man.” I talked directly to Ruth but kept glancing at both Mary and John. So, even before I began dreaming about being with Mary and John, I tended to think that Jesus was fully human and was so very enlightened that he was one with God the Father. And, as I read the Gospels or other accounts of those who had been with Jesus before he was executed, I thought of him as one of us humans but far more enlightened and working to help us become more fully one with him and our Father.”

Mary nodded, indicting she agreed with me, and then added, “Now I am concerned that this Paul fellow will be troublesome when he wakes up.

Ruth said, “He is still breathing evenly but not moving except when Joshua and I move him to prevent bed sores.”

Just then, a man on a horse rode up near us. John jumped up and said, “This is Luke, my fellow apostle, and I’m guessing he is the one you mentioned when you read Paul’s letter years later.” He walked over just as Luke dismounted. They gave each other a warm hug and greeting. I was curious to know why he was here and had a horse, as I was sure Luke was not a Roman citizen. Luke cleared that up rather quickly after he and I were introduced; he informed us that he had been drafted to be King Harod’s palace physician, and one of his perks was having a horse, and again, I vanished.

Continue opening and nurturing your heart, avoiding eating the menu, and enjoying the banquet.

Waiting for Paul of Tarsus to Wake Up – Don Hanley’s blog #43

I was nervous when I entered a dream with Mary and John. I was worried about what they thought about my brief confession before I vanished last time. But they seemed serene and radiant as they sat with a pretty young woman in a dusty white robe. She smiled and showed the same warmth and radiance as the other two. She was sitting in ‘my’ chair, and Mary asked John to bring another chair so I could sit in ‘my place.’

Mary looked at me and said, “Well, welcome back, my two-thousand-year-old friend. I would like for you to meet my neighbor Ruth. Ruth has just been telling us about a fellow she and her husband, Joshua, found barely alive and under an avalanche of sand and rocks on the road to Damascus. His horse was loyally standing near him. Ruth and Joshua brought them to their home here in Nazareth.”

Before sitting down, I took Ruth’s hand, and she smiled; simultaneously, she looked at me questioningly. She seemed puzzled by my khaki pants and short-sleeved plaid shirt. John placed the chairs so that Ruth sat next to Mary, and he sat down between her and me. I guessed that Mary needed to tell Ruth about vivid dreaming, or maybe she already had, or she wouldn’t be here in our dream. I said, “Ruth, I am so glad to meet you. I have been dreaming about John and Mary, and until this moment, they have been the only ones I have gotten to know in Nazareth. And you have a wounded guest in your home. You are married. Where is that lucky guy now?”

“Yes, I am a lucky woman; he is with our daughter, Julie. Are you a lucky man?” Ruth said this with the same confidence and poise as any 21st—century young woman.

“Yes, I am; she doesn’t seem to have vivid dreams but enjoys hearing me talk about my dreams and journeys. So, please tell me about this wounded fellow in your home. I looked at her, Mary, and John, asking, “And where is his horse?”

Mary answered, “It is tied up in the back of her house. And we took the man’s saddlebags inside. John was about to read some of his pages when you arrived. Neither Joshua nor Ruth nor I speak or read Greek, and everything is in Greek.”

John added, “I just read his instructions from some superior in Rome, but it just tells me that he was instructed to meet with Luke in Jerusalem and report back to him about what kind of efforts the Jews are getting into to disturb their Roman superiors. I assume this man you brought home and in your house is a Roman citizen, or he would not have a horse. And the man named Luke may be one also. We may see him soon, I believe. From the letters, I am sure his name is Paul of Tarsus.”

Ruth said, “He is in what Joshua calls a coma. Joshua worked in a clinic in Capharnaum before we were married, and he told me that often, when a person is in a severe accident, they pass out and seem to be sleeping for days or even weeks before they regain consciousness.”

Was this Paul of Tarsus, the fellow who wrote all those letters, or Epistles, that take up almost all those pages of the New Testament?

So, I said, “There is a Paul of Tarsus in the New Testament of the Scriptures, or Bible, and he was a Pharisee and had persecuted the Christians who have been following Jesus and later became a follower too. And John, I bet Luke is one of your eleven Apostles of Jesus and a fellow writer. I hope I will get to meet him in one of our dreams.

And, with that, I vanished, but please . . .

Keep opening and nourishing your hearts and thinking about the menus while enjoying the banquet.

 And a big thank you to those of you who commented on my blog - please join them.