" The only true wisdom is, knowing , you know nothing." Socrates. "Be willing to be a beginner, every single morning ." Meister Eckhart.
" Now we see in a mirror, dimly." St.Paul.
Before this week I though I knew, nothing. After this week, I am CERTAIN now, I know nothing. What blows my mind is this, to more I respond to the invitation to accept, embrace, the fact that is, that in the reality of knowing, nothing, there is no better place that Joe can be. What does the commercial say ?" Nothing is , everything". I got plenty of nothing, so I am, blessed? Now if you get/got, anything out that exposition, you are a far better person than, I. Have you hung up, or just pressed a key "
I have been blessed to have an evolving relationship with Meister Eckart for a number of decades. In his time he ruffled a few feathers, and was looked on with suspicion. Not over the recent decades, however. Now he is viewed with respect in the fields of Catholic Mystical thinking, and, get this, in the exploding field of quantum thought. That is so very difficult to fathom, Quantum Theorists and a Catholic Mystic, from the 1440 A.D., being in respectful dialogue. Needless to say, all the expression of appreciation is on the theorists side. What Meister wrote is being researched through more expansive, nonbinary lenses, than the narrow binary lenses used by those who sought to condemned him. The dialogue between science and spirituality need not surprise us. This was Pierre de Chardin prophetic vision, in the early 1900s. What is emerging from the collective unconscious, and coming to consciousness de Chardin named it, the noosphere.We are all benefitting from this respectful dialogue, as we are being challenged to explore, an ever deeper understanding of the moment to moment reality of, reality. This exploration has led us now to be blessed with new lenses, leading to new discoveries. Discoveries that are, endless. The Unknown, awaits in the, unknown.
Nonbinary lenses reveal the deeper realities that were ALWAYS present. They had to be searched for. For eons Mary and Martha were looked on as two women united, yet very distinct, in a gospel narrative. Way back In the 1440 A.D. Meister must have rattled the cages when he championed the teaching, Martha and Mary, are not two but ONE in the same person. He poured more fuel on the flames of astonishment when he championed Martha actions as being more mature. Space prevents me from quoting at length that pertinent quotes from his sermons. They are really worth the time investment. His radical approach was disturbing, back then. That approach as seen today is in lockstep with what Quantum Theory can offer us. The quantum lens reveals layers and layers of new knowledge, leading to new understandings, leading to....?
" What appears fixed and simple at one level may reveal hidden complexity in another.The seen is not the whole story. Reality resists being reduced to surface description."This is where the blessing and the curse of free will come into, play. So much transformative knowledge, food for your awakening spiritual, appetite. So much is being offered ?? There is no good reason to languish in non-vivifying spaces while all the time " New heavens, and new earths" are being offered to both you and I. I will miss the greater part of the unveiling. All who read this effort great challenges await, but so do exciting solutions. Be active not only in asking the question, be seriously involved in seeking, and searching out physical and spiritual answers from that which already present, but where ??
I need to correct Joe. There is no new knowledge. The understanding has always been there. It's home has been the collective unconscious. New insights, evolving wisdom, are the triggers for these new transformative, life enhancing, "pearls of great price". Complacency, fear of change, deeper fear of the unknown, will keep us mired in the comfort of certainty, of the familiar. Take from this, senior, senior citizen there is no better way to confront the ravages of prejudice, and crass ignorance. Today's challenging questions demand new answers. These answers are waiting, "IN YOUR DEPTHS". So what are you and I being confronted with ? Fence-sitting is NOT allowed. Can we take the chance that atrophy, will set in ?
" Gracious Spirit enliven again, the hearts of faithful. Enkindle and set ablaze the fire already tabernacled in those hearts. Awaken in all, the fiery response demanded by the exploitation, of the powerless, marginalized and all those who are so vulnerable, " the least of the brethren ". From The Via Dolorosa of 2026, cries come forth from, today's Incarnated Christ. "I, thirst". I thirst, that My inherent dignity, as a incarnated human, being be recognized and restored. I especially thirst, that the wellsprings of mercy-full justice, may once again burst forth transforming the deserts, of injustice, hunger, isolation, neglect into a greening place of abundance. A place of overflowing abundance where I am, welcomed unconditionally, garmented, and fed abundantly. Veronica has again stepped forward. As her ministry was welcomed on my Via Dolorosa, it is no less welcome in those I suffer with, now."
In the nonbinary world, there is no, either/or. The Gospel narrative reveals the contemplative Mary, sitting at the feet of Rabbi Jesus. Listening to the new wisdom, intended to change humankind. Martha is neck deep in all the challenges that are inherent in being a good hostess. It is getting to her. So she looks to their close family friend Rabbi Jesus to come to her rescue. I would like to think that she has already sat at Rabbi Jesus's feet at moved on. There is a time when it is essential that we move on from contemplation, into active service. Fulfilling the challenges that Matthew 25 is forever offering.A spirituality that does not lead to active ministry is very suspect. It becomes a possession to be selfishly hoarded, and eventually lost in destructive ,egocentricity. "What you keep, you loose, what you give away you keep" is a very uncomfortable teaching. " The truth will set you free, but first is will tee you off." Active ministry without the grounding of prayer, is destructive. It evolves into ego boosting, rather that a sacrificial, Christ centered way of ministering to today's suffering Christ. We must keep Simon of Cyrene, and Veronica always before our eyes. "Not for our admiration, but for our imitation. Finally, yes finally, " Pray like everything is up to, God, but ACT like everything is up to, you". Balance ??? Weird word coming from an Irish person. May all the blessings, wished by Irish mothers, be yours in abundance. Gramps.