Paul Vargis
TyThere are many versions of the Nativity of the Master Teacher known as Jesus Christ, more historically accurate, Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Bar Josephson. There is the canonical gospel stories that appear to overlay many of the mystery religions of the ancient world’s tales of divine birth. That being in the Gospel of Luke where we find Mary’s calling or Joseph’s calling.
Yet what if other historical accounts were accurate. Think of how Jesus’ was referred to in the Gospels, the son of Mary…could it be that in an oppressed land, where the oppressed were seen as lower than cattle, where women were seen as lower than that, could there be a possibility that he was the product of rape and then so that Mary would not be killed by the mob or put aside to live out a life of destitution or prostitution, Joseph took her in to raise a child not his own.
Through this act of divine love, the child was blessed because of this and grew in unity with LOVE from the get go which opened up the ability of this enlightenment, an achievable step for all of humanity if we live into and out of the same divine spark within us all.
Could this be why the next story to hear is not so jarring? Is it because it was not shocking to Jesus for he knew that within the flow of allness that Joseph was still with him and his Mum? Surely he is not the callous asshole this passage can portray? But in different times, different hearings and different life passages we may experience different things.
As we enter in to chapter 30 when Jesus hears of Joseph’s passing, have your tools present to express what comes through for you, whether that is journaling, crafting, colouring, wood work or painting there will be an expression at the end of this Lectio Divina.
Settle into comfort, prepare your soul to hear this story for the first time. Slow your breathing, connect with the source. Feel the room you are in, the chair, bench or cushion melt away. You are in First Century India travelling, learning and discovering. Enter into the story through the Sacred Heart of Brother Jesus.
Upon this first reading, what phrase leaps out at you? Let that phrase rest with you into your meditation time for a few moments.
Reading One:
Chapter 30
Jesus receives news of the death of his father. He writes a letter to his mother. The letter. He sends it on its way by a merchant.
1. One day as Jesus stood beside the Ganges busy with his work, a caravan, returning from the West, drew near.
2. And one, approaching Jesus, said, We come to you from your native land and bring unwelcome news.
3. Your father is no more on earth; your mother grieves; and none can comfort her. She wonders whether you are still alive or not; she longs to see you once again.
4. And Jesus bowed his head in silent thought; and then he wrote. Of what he wrote this is the sum:
5. My mother, noblest of the womankind; A man just from my native land has brought me word that father is no more in flesh, and that you grieve, and are disconsolate.
6. My mother, all is well; is well for father and is well for you.
7. His work in this earth-round is done, and it is nobly done.
8. In all the walks of life men cannot charge him with deceit, dishonesty, nor wrong intent.
9. Here in this round he finished many heavy tasks, and he has gone from hence prepared to solve the problems of the round of soul.
10. Our Father-God is with him there, as he was with him here; and there his angel guards his footsteps lest he goes astray.
11. Why should you weep? Tears cannot conquer grief. There is no power in grief to mend a broken heart.
12. The plane of grief is idleness; the busy soul can never grieve; it has no time for grief.
13. When grief come trooping through the heart, just lose yourself; plunge deep into the ministry of love, and grief is not.
14. Yours is a ministry of love, and all the world is calling out for love.
15. Then let the past go with the past; rise from the cares of carnal things and give your life for those who live.
16. And if you lose your life in serving life you will sure to find in it the morning sun, the evening dews, in song of bird, in flowers, and in the stars of night.
17. In just a little while your problems of this earth-round will be solved; and when your sums are all worked out it will be pleasure unalloyed for you to enter wider fields of usefulness, to solve the greater problems of the soul.
18. Strive, then, to be content, and I will come to you some day and bring you richer gifts than gold or precious stones.
19. I’m sure that John will care for you, supplying all your needs; and I am with you all the way, Jehoshua.
20. And by the hand of one, a merchant, going to Jerusalem, he sent this letter on its way.
Meditate on the phrase for about 5-10 minutes.
Stay in time and place resting in the Sacred Heart, as you prepare to hear the story again, what memories are invoked when you were literally at a crossroads on a journey as Brother Jesus was? What was your decision? What emotions came through as a result of that decision? Let that decision rest in your soul for time after the reading.
Second Reading:
Chapter 30
Jesus receives news of the death of his father. He writes a letter to his mother. The letter. He sends it on its way by a merchant.
1. One day as Jesus stood beside the Ganges busy with his work, a caravan, returning from the West, drew near.
2. And one, approaching Jesus, said, We come to you from your native land and bring unwelcome news.
3. Your father is no more on earth; your mother grieves; and none can comfort her. She wonders whether you are still alive or not; she longs to see you once again.
4. And Jesus bowed his head in silent thought; and then he wrote. Of what he wrote this is the sum:
5. My mother, noblest of the womankind; A man just from my native land has brought me word that father is no more in flesh, and that you grieve, and are disconsolate.
6. My mother, all is well; is well for father and is well for you.
7. His work in this earth-round is done, and it is nobly done.
8. In all the walks of life men cannot charge him with deceit, dishonesty, nor wrong intent.
9. Here in this round he finished many heavy tasks, and he has gone from hence prepared to solve the problems of the round of soul.
10. Our Father-God is with him there, as he was with him here; and there his angel guards his footsteps lest he goes astray.
11. Why should you weep? Tears cannot conquer grief. There is no power in grief to mend a broken heart.
12. The plane of grief is idleness; the busy soul can never grieve; it has no time for grief.
13. When grief come trooping through the heart, just lose yourself; plunge deep into the ministry of love, and grief is not.
14. Yours is a ministry of love, and all the world is calling out for love.
15. Then let the past go with the past; rise from the cares of carnal things and give your life for those who live.
16. And if you lose your life in serving life you will sure to find in it the morning sun, the evening dews, in song of bird, in flowers, and in the stars of night.
17. In just a little while your problems of this earth-round will be solved; and when your sums are all worked out it will be pleasure unalloyed for you to enter wider fields of usefulness, to solve the greater problems of the soul.
18. Strive, then, to be content, and I will come to you some day and bring you richer gifts than gold or precious stones.
19. I’m sure that John will care for you, supplying all your needs; and I am with you all the way, Jehoshua.
20. And by the hand of one, a merchant, going to Jerusalem, he sent this letter on its way.
Meditate on the decision for 5-10 minutes.
Stay within the Sacred Heart of Brother Jesus as you prepare for the third reading. Within these words, hear the parable of new life and old life. Who is calling you back to your old life? Who do you need to redirect to other supports so that you can continue on your new path? What new path is awaiting you if you will simply release the old?
Spend time contemplating this new path within this third reading.
Third Reading:
Chapter 30
Jesus receives news of the death of his father. He writes a letter to his mother. The letter. He sends it on its way by a merchant.
1. One day as Jesus stood beside the Ganges busy with his work, a caravan, returning from the West, drew near.
2. And one, approaching Jesus, said, We come to you from your native land and bring unwelcome news.
3. Your father is no more on earth; your mother grieves; and none can comfort her. She wonders whether you are still alive or not; she longs to see you once again.
4. And Jesus bowed his head in silent thought; and then he wrote. Of what he wrote this is the sum:
5. My mother, noblest of the womankind; A man just from my native land has brought me word that father is no more in flesh, and that you grieve, and are disconsolate.
6. My mother, all is well; is well for father and is well for you.
7. His work in this earth-round is done, and it is nobly done.
8. In all the walks of life men cannot charge him with deceit, dishonesty, nor wrong intent.
9. Here in this round he finished many heavy tasks, and he has gone from hence prepared to solve the problems of the round of soul.
10. Our Father-God is with him there, as he was with him here; and there his angel guards his footsteps lest he goes astray.
11. Why should you weep? Tears cannot conquer grief. There is no power in grief to mend a broken heart..
12. The plane of grief is idleness; the busy soul can never grieve; it has no time for grief.
13. When grief come trooping through the heart, just lose yourself; plunge deep into the ministry of love, and grief is not.
14. Yours is a ministry of love, and all the world is calling out for love.
15. Then let the past go with the past; rise from the cares of carnal things and give your life for those who live.
16. And if you lose your life in serving life you will sure to find in it the morning sun, the evening dews, in song of bird, in flowers, and in the stars of night.
17. In just a little while your problems of this earth-round will be solved; and when your sums are all worked out it will be pleasure unalloyed for you to enter wider fields of usefulness, to solve the greater problems of the soul.
18. Strive, then, to be content, and I will come to you some day and bring you richer gifts than gold or precious stones.
19. I’m sure that John will care for you, supplying all your needs; and I am with you all the way, Jehoshua.
20. And by the hand of one, a merchant, going to Jerusalem, he sent this letter on its way.
Mediate on this new path for 5-10 minutes.
Re-focus on your breath, feel the ancient world fade away, do not lose the Sacred Heart you experience the story through, for this Sacred Heart was not Brother Jesus’ but is your Sacred Heart that allows the Divine Spark to live within you, and you within it.
Feel your chair/cushion/bench/or pillow again. Feel and experience the smells, sounds and textures of the room you are in. Move your fingers and toes, bring your breathing up to a normal pace through deep cleansing breaths.
Whatever tool you chose for post meditation soul work, take up and create what your new path looks like as you have left the old in the ancient world and are ready to embark upon the new.
A Monk's Musings 