This exclamation from John the Baptist, “You brood of vipers!” has always made me want to burst out laughing. I always at least smile when I read or hear the words.
The words are directed to the formal religious leaders of the time who, like many religious leaders in all time periods, think they have all the answers and feel secure in their own righteousness as “children of Abraham.” John the Baptist insults them (“vipers!”) and compares them to trees that bear bad fruit and to the chaff left over from the winnowing of wheat.
While I chuckle and instinctively think of folks I believe should hear this message in our day, I know the real message is meant for me. What in me needs to wake up and repent of unwholesome thoughts, words, and deeds? How can I become a tree that bears good fruit in this world? It’s never too late to begin again.
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the time of year when Christians prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas and prepare for his return.
I love the idea that, just like with Mary, the mother of Jesus, God somehow makes “requests” of us to enable God to manifest in the world. These requests are happening all the time, but we often miss them. Every day we are given opportunities to let the Light of God in, but we might also choose to obstruct the Light or even bring darkness instead.
From Rev. Richard Rohr: “Mary is the model of the faith to which God calls all of us: a total and unreserved YES to God’s request to be present in and to the world through us.”
Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886), a great proponent of religious harmony, taught humanity what religion is, and how to use it to foster love rather than bickering and wars. He said:
Ultimate Reality is infinite and beyond language. Therefore, refer to Ultimate Reality with whatever name (e.g., Krishna, God, Allah, Kali, etc.) you wish, and let other people use whatever name they wish.
This infinite Ultimate Reality is the true goal of human life, and indeed, all life. We are not here to achieve money, fame, power, etc. We are here to realize the Ultimate which is Love.
Different religions exist as different paths to the Ultimate Reality. No single path is better than the others. Each path is different, but leads to the Ultimate Reality when practiced with sincerity.
Focus and go deeply into one path. Rather than sampling “a little here” and “a little there,” choose the faith you were born into or select one that appeals to you, then REALLY learn what the faith teaches and practices. DO the practices with faith for an extended period of time. This doesn’t mean you can never change religions, but cautions about dabbling in religions.
Respect other people and their chosen path. Genuinely enjoy one another. Enrich and encourage one other in spiritual life since we are all headed toward the same goal on our various paths.
I’m convinced this is the end times. That explains why so many people believe that evil is actually the side of goodness and God.
Every major religion and spirituality going back thousands of years has taught non-violence, truthfulness, generosity, compassion, simplicity, and care for the Earth. Anyone who claims to be a Christian, for example, but is not living these teachings to the best of their ability – and apologizing for failures in these teachings – is a Christian in name only. Jesus warned us about such people:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.Therefore, by their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:15-20).
Satan, or “the devil,” is not a particular person or entity. It’s the evil, lying, hate-filled energy that exists in all of us to some degree. “Christ” is also not a particular person (although Jesus was indeed a particular man who perfectly embodied Christ-consciousness), but an energy or consciousness that lives in all of us to some degree. Our task in this life, regardless of our religion or belief-system, is to learn to embody Christ-consciousness more and more until the death of our body.
So, rather than wasting our precious time and energy arguing about who is evil and who is good, we need to be working on ourselves. Time is short, my friends. Please disengage from people, news stories, and social media posts that enflame your hatred. Rather, spend your time loving and helping people, reading uplifting books, caring for the Earth, praying or meditating. Use these practices to turn your thoughts from negativity toward a sense of peace and hope for building a beautiful future.
Regardless of how bad things get in this country (the United States) and the world, refuse to be sucked into the negativity and hatred. Remain grounded in the Light and Love this world needs. Even if you are the last person standing. May it be so. Amen.
“When you hold a lunch or dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.” – Luke 14:12-13
Commentary on this Scripture passage from Contemplative Outreach: “Jesus’ concluding remarks in this parable point to an even deeper invitation: Let go of all self-focus and move into agape, the unconditional love that seeks the well-being of others. He tells the holder of the banquet to host a meal for the neediest people with no thought of what might be received in return. In other words, we are to offer our ‘banquet’ of talents, service, and love magnanimously and without attachment to the outcome of our efforts.”
This selfless service – giving without thought about results or being repaid – is also known as Karma Yoga. Lord Krishna in chapter 3 of The Bhagavad-Gita, tells the warrior, Arjuna:
Man does not reach actionlessness by not performing actions; nor does he attain perfection by mere renunciation. (3.4)
Perform your bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction, and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for you through inaction. (3.8)
The world is bound by actions other than those performed for the sake of sacrifice; do thou, therefore, O son of Kunti (Arjuna), perform actions for that sake alone, free from attachment. (3.9)
Therefore, without attachment, always perform the actions that should be done; for by performing actions without attachment, one reaches the Supreme. (3.19)
As the ignorant act out of attachment to action, . . . so should the wise act without attachment, wishing for the welfare of the world. (3.25)
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Do all things for the betterment of the world, in selfless service! Share a smile, pick up a piece of trash, hold a door open for someone.
May we think of the welfare of the world with each of our actions. Karma Yoga can be practiced every moment of every day.
Holistic Yoga & Spiritual Guidance 