I really like this Barry. I believe Jesus would have the power, but I surely do not. I harbor ill will and anger. And I'm not certain he is redeemable. I think there is true evil in the world that cannot be turned to the light, but I'm amenable to being wrong! So I stand corrected -- Jesus would wash his feet, knowing he would be betraye…
I really like this Barry. I believe Jesus would have the power, but I surely do not. I harbor ill will and anger. And I'm not certain he is redeemable. I think there is true evil in the world that cannot be turned to the light, but I'm amenable to being wrong! So I stand corrected -- Jesus would wash his feet, knowing he would be betrayed yet again. I don't have that much capacity to forgive willful ignorance. I emphasize willful. I experience far more redemption and forgiveness among my prison sangha.
We share the same fears and trepidations. There are lots of examples of Jesus working through our efforts to do good. I've had nothing but contempt for Trump and his awful minions. What if Pope Leo washed his feet, with many buckets of water and papal soap, and required Trump to withstand days of prayers, and Trump decided to stay and allow this? It is a compassionate and symbolic act. I'm a retired social worker and what is spiritual completes the loop of compassion from learning that I don't think Trump has ever accepted, or received, life lessons he's never allowed himself, or found real. The danger is his lifelong grandiose vision of his own perfection above all men using the power of gold and money---that needs to be broken, transformed actually, by the highest religious figure that he may somehow come to respect, beyond his power. I've had my feet washed in hospital once, it's pleasurable, and thinking the Pope is bowing down to him, I'd like to think could change Trump's self-hatred and self-loathing into acceptance. I'm guessing, postulating. Love to you and do good things, that's why we're here.
I'm so humbled Barry, thank you, bless you for all you do. I agree with your estimation of the (I still cannot believe it) president. I've been involved in prison advocacy for 15 years (former wife) with a lot of teaching. Actually the men are the ones who continue to teach me -- what it is to be human. What it means to forgive oneself. What it means to truly transform. So I agree with your assessment entirely. It is beyond his power to admit his self-loathing and unworthiness. He doesn't know the real power of the religion he uses as a photo op. (And did he NOT place his hand on the Bible to take the oath of office?)
I worked with an incredible warden once whom I called The Pope. I would see him bending over on the yard to shake the hand of someone in a wheelchair. He had been part of a warden ministry training program (I forget the name) and he was as humble and as progressive as they come. Incredible compassion, and also able to be as hard as necessary. The men just loved him, and the staff. He would have washed their feet, and I would have washed his.
I really like this Barry. I believe Jesus would have the power, but I surely do not. I harbor ill will and anger. And I'm not certain he is redeemable. I think there is true evil in the world that cannot be turned to the light, but I'm amenable to being wrong! So I stand corrected -- Jesus would wash his feet, knowing he would be betrayed yet again. I don't have that much capacity to forgive willful ignorance. I emphasize willful. I experience far more redemption and forgiveness among my prison sangha.
We share the same fears and trepidations. There are lots of examples of Jesus working through our efforts to do good. I've had nothing but contempt for Trump and his awful minions. What if Pope Leo washed his feet, with many buckets of water and papal soap, and required Trump to withstand days of prayers, and Trump decided to stay and allow this? It is a compassionate and symbolic act. I'm a retired social worker and what is spiritual completes the loop of compassion from learning that I don't think Trump has ever accepted, or received, life lessons he's never allowed himself, or found real. The danger is his lifelong grandiose vision of his own perfection above all men using the power of gold and money---that needs to be broken, transformed actually, by the highest religious figure that he may somehow come to respect, beyond his power. I've had my feet washed in hospital once, it's pleasurable, and thinking the Pope is bowing down to him, I'd like to think could change Trump's self-hatred and self-loathing into acceptance. I'm guessing, postulating. Love to you and do good things, that's why we're here.
Not to promote myself but I do write about my prison work in my Substack, Sea of Mercy. Feel free to come on by!
I'm so humbled Barry, thank you, bless you for all you do. I agree with your estimation of the (I still cannot believe it) president. I've been involved in prison advocacy for 15 years (former wife) with a lot of teaching. Actually the men are the ones who continue to teach me -- what it is to be human. What it means to forgive oneself. What it means to truly transform. So I agree with your assessment entirely. It is beyond his power to admit his self-loathing and unworthiness. He doesn't know the real power of the religion he uses as a photo op. (And did he NOT place his hand on the Bible to take the oath of office?)
I worked with an incredible warden once whom I called The Pope. I would see him bending over on the yard to shake the hand of someone in a wheelchair. He had been part of a warden ministry training program (I forget the name) and he was as humble and as progressive as they come. Incredible compassion, and also able to be as hard as necessary. The men just loved him, and the staff. He would have washed their feet, and I would have washed his.