Thursday, March 09, 2006
Lenten Reading for Thursday, First Week of Lent
Today's Little Black Book reading comes from the Gospel of St. Luke, Chapter 22, verses 35-38:
This is a very deep and symbolic verse. It would seem that Jesus is contradicting his earlier speeches, found in Matthew 6, where he speaks of going out in the world with nothing and trusting fully in God's Will to provide for us. It also seems to contradict his teaching about turning the other cheek, but is perhaps in tune with his saying "I come not to bring peace, but a sword." It seems that at the end of this verse, Jesus chastizes the disciples for taking his speech on swords literally. In both these sayings, the sword referred to is the "sword of discrimination," which cuts through illusion and reveals our true self. The "cloak" which we must sell to buy a sword is our "security blankets"... Seeking self-identity in outward things (personality, likes and dislikes, and in possessions). Jesus says he is "counted among the wicked" because when a True Teacher comes to us, we are forced into the uncomfortable position of being faced with the parts of ourselves which are out of sync with God, and of giving up those habits and behaviors that get in the way of a pure relationship with Him.
He said to them, "When I sent you forth without a money bag or sandals, were you in need of anything?" "No, nothing," they replied. He said to them, "But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, 'He was counted among the wicked;' and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment." Then they said, "Lord, look, there are two swords here." But he replied, "That is enough!"
This is a very deep and symbolic verse. It would seem that Jesus is contradicting his earlier speeches, found in Matthew 6, where he speaks of going out in the world with nothing and trusting fully in God's Will to provide for us. It also seems to contradict his teaching about turning the other cheek, but is perhaps in tune with his saying "I come not to bring peace, but a sword." It seems that at the end of this verse, Jesus chastizes the disciples for taking his speech on swords literally. In both these sayings, the sword referred to is the "sword of discrimination," which cuts through illusion and reveals our true self. The "cloak" which we must sell to buy a sword is our "security blankets"... Seeking self-identity in outward things (personality, likes and dislikes, and in possessions). Jesus says he is "counted among the wicked" because when a True Teacher comes to us, we are forced into the uncomfortable position of being faced with the parts of ourselves which are out of sync with God, and of giving up those habits and behaviors that get in the way of a pure relationship with Him.
