We should maintain that if an interpretation of any word in any religion leads to disharmony and does not positively further the welfare of the many, then such an interpretation is to be regarded as wrong; that is, against the will of God, or as the working of Satan or Mara.

Buddhadasa Bikkhu, a Thai Buddhist Monk


Friday, June 22, 2012

Where We Really Are

Jesus did not simply dip into our existence, wave the magic wand of divine life over us, and then hurriedly retreat to his eternal home. He did not leave us with a tattered dream, letting us brood over the mystery of our existence. Instead, Jesus subjected himself to our plight.... Jesus came to us where we really are--with all our broken dreams and lost hopes.... Christ showed us how to really become human beings. In him we see the unimagined heights and depths of our human lot.

Johannes B. Metz
Source: Poverty of Spirit (1968)