Brian’s Reflection: The Weekend, Sat, Feb 6, 2010

[Jesus] said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down
your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked
all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let
down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish
that their nets were beginning to break ..

Luke 5 – The Gospel reading for Epiphany V_RCL


The difference? The difference is: Becoming, or at least on the path to becoming, One’s Truest, most authentic Self – defined in the context of “good”.

That is what I think this Scripture is about. Not only that: I think this is what Jesus is all about. It’s about becoming what the early Mothers/Fathers of the Church would have called “our Divine Selves”.

Until we human beings fall into our identity with all Being - “God” as the Christians call it – zilch or close to zilch happens. No one is drawn into the net of authentic Humanity. No “fish is caught", if I may use the metaphor. We are like Peter and his friends – working away but accomplishing little or nothing. This is the state most of us in the World are in at the moment. We have all “gone astray”. We’ve accepted a definition of our Self that is deeply flawed. As an example, American Christians have allowed ourselves to be publically defined by the likes of Jerry Falwell and Pat Buchanan and George W. Bush and Mr. Haggart and that Dobson fellow – all of whom are, to put it boldly, visions of the Anti-Christ, i.e., the very opposite of what Jesus authentically represents. In Islam, they have allowed themselves to be “defined” by Osama ben Laden. In all religions, “believers” are perverted in the eyes of the World by mad extremists. By wackos, to be blunt.

Except for fruitcakes – of which alas there are many – do you know any reasonable person who things that Jerry Falwell or James Dobson represents a fully matured human being made in the image of the God of Love? No. (At least I hope not!) Same is true for suicide bombers, etc. And – sorry, I can’t resist – the American Republican party? (I do wish I were more irenic!)

The point of the Gospel? “Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”

Which only means: Get a grip! Be a Christ. Be a Buddha. For God’s sake, and for the World’s sake, let’s get over our shallow Self and embody Love.

Brian+