Rembrandt, Jesus und Ehebrecherin
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Reproduced in the March 2013 edition of Give Us This Day
Who did I stone this week? Did I hurl negative words? Put-downs? Blame? Scorn? Did I put on an attitude of superiority? Did I cause injury by my indifference to others’ needs?
Who stoned me this week? Was I wounded by someone’s actions or words? Did I cast stones at myself for not being perfect? Did I damage my self-esteem by comparing myself negatively with others? Who did I turn to in my shame and pain?
God loves us unconditionally and asks us to do the same for ourselves and each other. Just for today let me be intentional about building up the kingdom of God by building up all those I encounter – including myself – with kind words, generous actions, and responsible behavior.
Mary Ann McSweeny 
Mary,
I am going to be reading your post from the beginning. I have a question for you. How did you get to this place in your spiritual life, where you contemplate all of these things and find the answers to them so well?
I am very much a hermit, such as yourself. I love animals and the outdoors. Outdoors is where I am so close to God. I see Him in all things in nature more than any other place. If I never had to start my pickup and go one place I would be the happiest person on earth.
Still I lack the peace in my soul, which I see in your words. I pray first thing daily, I talk to God all during my day, (especially if I am outside) yet for some reason, this unsettled feeling within me, lingers and I do not know why. How did you reach the top of the mountain of peace? Where God is your emotional well being, not your own? Thanks for answering. God Bless, SR
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Dear SR,
A few thoughts.
“…Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves.” Mark 9:2
My experience is that I’m always climbing the mountain of faith. Sometimes the going is difficult and I despair. Sometimes there are plateaux where I rest and enjoy the view. If I remember to trust the One who is leading me to show me the way or to give me a hand when I am floundering, then I can keep climbing.
“…do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” Matthew 10:19-20
When I read Scripture and something catches my attention, I am confident that the Spirit is speaking to me. I do my best to listen and so when I write, I have hope it is the Spirit who speaks through my writing. Mind you, I do the composing and may not perfectly express what the Spirit is saying. But the important thing is to listen and to trust the Spirit’s promptings.
“The second [commandment] is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31
When I practice love for myself – getting enough sleep, eating well, taking some exercise, spending time with friends, enjoying some recreation, being quiet in God’s presence – I begin to understand that we all need love, we all need attention, we all need a kind word of encouragement, and I begin to love my neighbor a little better, a little more deeply.
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Hey Mary,
Thank you so much for once again giving me so much wisdom. I read this yesterday and pondered every word, throughout the day. This morning in prayer Jesus told me, “Climb that mountain of faith with her. Remember I took Peter, James and John with Me.” So I am climbing it with you Mary.
You always write about “loving your neighbor.” “The greatest of all commandments.” That is where it begins isn’t it Mary? You also write about loving ourselves and taking care of ourselves. That is where it must start, isn’t it?
For the past many years due to Mom and Dad, taking care of myself, I actually felt guilty about doing. Only to find exhaustion, mental fatigue, and illness crept into my mind and body. I think I lost sight of how to take care of myself through it all. But….. today it begins, as I must have the strength to go up that mountain with you.
I love going to Barnes and Nobles and just browsing. I am about to get ready and do so. God never puts a person in our lives without a reason does He, Mary? I am so thankful for you. I have needed to climb “the mountain of faith,” for a very long time. God Bless, SR
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