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Readings to deepen spiritual maturity
Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 71:1-6
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17
Jeremiah 1:4-10
In this passage we see the spirit of God in conversation with Jeremiah. Jeremiah like most human beings seems to have doubts as to his ability and his connection with God, his creator and sustainer. As part of our journey toward spiritual maturity we are always asked to make a wider circle of who is included in the good and the blessings God bestows. Before we can share these with others we must first accept them as the reality of our experience. In truth we can only give what we possess. If we do not own our oneness with God we do not have the integrity to give this gift to others.
Psalm 71:1-6
In this passage we clearly see both the human and the divine levels of understanding. In many ways these words are like ours when we have grasped the intellectual concept of oneness but have yet to fully understand God’s will and our will are also one. This psalm helps us to turn back to God, hopefully we can do this be growing to Jesus way of phrasing this prayer – not my will but thine be done through me.
Hebrews12:18-29
The “signs of the spirit” often rattle our human sensibilities. The order of our world needs to be reshaped if these new realities are to exist within us in harmony. The question asked in each passage this week is about value and worth – yours! You will notice that there is an assumption behind each of these passages – you are valid – you are worthy – you are included. We you doubt this truth each event and experience in your life will shake you. When you give up your commitment to doubt it will be consumed in the fire of God’s love and you will stand on unshakable faith.
Luke 13:10-17
Here we see divine love in action, the blessing that comes to one individual and the reaction of those who are earnestly seeking their own personal blessings and doubting their own worthiness. As with the other three passages for this week we again see a new level of spiritual inclusiveness cast against the backdrop of human limitations seen as the norm rather than a garment to be cast aside so that the spiritual realities of the day may be clearly seen.
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Readings to deepen spiritual maturity
Jeremiah 2:4-13 and Psalm 81:1,10-16
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1,7-14
Jeremiah 2:4-13
Jeremiah continues to struggle with the idea of how we are one with God when physical appearances and experiences seem to tell us that we are alone in a hard, often cruel world. In this passage, as with so many in the Old Testament we hear God speaking as if s/he were human. In our spiritual development we often attempt to make God in our image rather than transform ourselves into God’s image. Do not be too concerned or confused with this. Read the last two verses of this section. Ask yourself – have you forgotten the source of living water in your life this week? Are you depending totally on yourself or are you in a living, active partnership with God your creator sustainer?
Psalm 81:1, 10-16
I’m not certain if the psalmist wrote his reflections on Jeremiah’s words or if it was the other way round. You will notice that the psalmist uses a different voice to share the very same ideas. The message in these first two readings this week is the same – while we may abandon God, and God allows us this option. God is not happy with the results and has a preference that we live in joy and abundance rather than need and suffering.
Hebrews 13:1-8,15,16
In the first two readings we see the concerns when people live but forget what is important and instead spend all their emotional energy on what does not change anything. When this letter is being written many members of the community are being imprisoned just for being members of the community. In those times prisons did not supply meals, clothing or other things to those incarcerated. All that was required for a prisoner to stay alive needed to be brought to him or her in prison by those outside. After you have read all four passages for this week, you may want to list some of the spiritual values/practices that you “take for granted” or only practice when in “need”. Living life consciously is a vital part of attaining and maintaining spiritual maturity.
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Here we see Jesus attempting to erect some sign posts along the pathway to spiritual maturity. He makes some assumptions – that you are willing to grow and that you believe spiritual maturity is a higher calling than the life you lived when you were only human. Here we see the actions that are easy and automatic when you no longer doubt your oneness and are willing to be “one” with all who are around you. If there is love there is no need for higher or lower, rather there is a quiet confidence of living in the midst of living waters that provides every need.
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Readings to deepen spiritual maturity
Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33
Jeremiah 18:1-11
God and Jeremiah share a parable with us that is easy to understand if we are able to get into the parable and out of our dislike of honest evaluation of the current situation. In the parable of the potter the vessel that is being shaped is wanting. The soft clay is thrown a second time and this time the potter is pleased with the results. In our lives we must be willing to look at the facts around us and when they are wanting agree that they are “less than”. This simple action keeps us soft and pliable so that we and God may put our hands (will) to the wheel of life and shape the outcomes anew.
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Here the psalmist gives us a prayer that can allow us to make the quantum leap from our old self into who God would have us be. There is power in release. Yet, there is even more power in realizing we are never alone Spirit’s hand is always under, around and with us. When we release ourselves into the images of this prayer and live within the reality of these powerful ideas wholeness becomes our true reality.
Philemon 1-12
The letters (epistles) are the replies to mail received by the writer. Unlike our modern e-mail when the apostles wrote they did not automatically attach a copy of the original request at the bottom so that those of us who were confused by the response could compare it to the question and thereby understand the answer in a better way. In this reading the key may not be in the who, or the how or the why the answer. Instead it may be in the writer’s request that the honourable thing be done as a joyous free will choice rather than a command. A command may be needed but only if the reader is unwilling to take yet one more step along the path of spiritual maturity. It is not important if he did or didn’t the real question is: are we willing to take one more step, grow in one more area toward spiritual maturity.
Luke 14:25-33
As in the reading from Jeremiah we must look at both the literal message and the inner message of this passage. Over the past few weeks we have been looking at a variety of aspects of Gods will and human will both when they are in harmony and when they compete. The psalmist this week shows us the potentiality of being totally surrendered. In this reading Jesus reminds us that total surrender is important for true spiritual maturity. Attachments, as the Buddha teachers, are the beginning of all suffering. Jesus is the way shower on a path that is free of suffering and therefore it must also be a way that is free of attachments.
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Readings to deepen spiritual maturity
Jeremiah 4:11,12, 22-28
As God and Jeremiah talk does it seem that there words are repeated in the arguments about global warming, the effects of over harvesting of forests and fields, of the negative effects of the populations move from rural to urban lifestyles? In each generation faith must come to maturity in those of that age. Because it has existed in the past and will exist again in the future may be a comfort, the challenge is will spiritual maturity find a foothold today!
Psalm 14
A few weeks back the epistle reading asked us to remember those who lead us. This week, as we meditate on this psalm, it may be relevant for us to reflect on what we think, feel and say of others. Our level of spiritual maturity may well be only has high as our last thought.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Timothy was a very young man and therefore was not always respected by those he was to lead. Like all young men his past was very close to him and even closer in the memory of those who knew him when. Spiritual maturity is found in responsibility and Timothy takes responsibility for his past and for the grace of God, not his own works, thereby allowing him to be in the position he is in. Here we have a wonderful object lesson in how to respond to criticism. If we are unattached we truly have power for we know that no one is against us.
Luke 15:1-10
In meditating on this reading focus on the “truth you know”! Make lists of what it is you know and when you last gave it expression. This may save you the effort of climbing out of the pothole of judging yourself or others.
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