Connecting Some Threads...

Jesus and the Parable of the Mustard Seed

Something recently occured to me.

The Buddha brought forth to our consciousness that life involves SUFFERING.

The Messiah taught us how to OFFER OUR SUFFERING UP.

They make a decent team, in my not-so-humble opinion.

The Buddha Teaching His Disciples Through Story

Of course, the Buddha never claimed to be anything but human. His teachings are beautiful. He used the traditions of 'parables' or teaching stories that, as Sister Philomena at the Community of St. John pointed out, uses realities of our own lives to portray realities of God's kingdom.

Sister Philomena explained that in parables, Jesus often spoke of the realities of our every day, earthly life; seeds growing into crops, desirable treasures like pearls, wedding celebrations, taxes and death... And yet what Jesus was telling us about was inconceivable to our minds without the metaphor: The Kingdom of Heaven! The only way to explain the Kingdom with *words* is through the Liturgy. Through words, Christ becomes incarnate to us in the Eucharist. He IS the Word.

Odin the Wanderer

Going back to another culture, Odin of Norse mythology was given the gift of the alphabet (or runes) from a higher source. He sacrificed himself on a tree, allowing crows to pluck out one of his eyes. Now he sees as man sees, but also is gifted a spiritual sight as well. Odin has provided the Word to his people as well as a deeper spiritual seeing.

Can it be that the Norse religion was purely pagan? Or is it possible to thread parts of that religion into God's plan?

If we look back at Sophia Cavelletti's idea of History's Golden Thread, and see that hints of His coming kingdom pop up here and there, I believe we can begin to include many, many cultures. Any culture that allowed belief in God who was compassionate, caring, fatherly, and filled with LOVE, surely has had access to the one true God.

After all, God offers himself to us. He allows us to choose how much of Him to see.

Black Elk and his Family

I am not suggesting that God is pagan. But, part of my universalist belief systems states that God loves each and every one of his human creations. Listening to someone like Black Elk of the Lakota makes me think, Wow! This man was a prophet who saw God's love more deeply. He testified within the understanding of his own culture so that his people could have compassion for one another. He taught them to love their enemies. This was somewhat new to his culture. How was Black Elk inspired? Who breathed that into him?

Either God has been with all humans from the beginning of creation or all humans have had the capacity to perceive such a loving higher reality. Or maybe it is both. Who am I to say?