May 29, 2025

John 16:16-20

Sometimes Jesus speaks plainly to his disciples, telling them what will happen, but today he speaks almost in riddles.  Is he purposely speaking in a way that stumps their conceptual mind, like a Zen koan? Or is he planting words in their minds that they will remember later and understand the meaning, like time capsules of truth?  Indeed, are not the entire Bible and the Gospels teeming with time capsules of truth that unfold themselves to us as we read, the right truths at the right times for our lives?

Humanity is suffering, but it does not need to suffer quite so much. At least half of that is mental anguish. Do not fear cruelty, but rather be brave and call it what it is. You can almost laugh at it, as you might laugh at the false bravado of a schoolyard bully, while also weeping for the victims and coming to their aid.

Starting from the simple elements of sitting with our breath and intention, right there are infinite space and time.