So what does Jesus accomplish on the cross? According to Adyashanti, a writer whom I’ve mentioned before on this blog, the cross is the moment of ego death, when divine radiance burns “all of the old conditioning that opposes spirit out of our system.” I like this well enough, and agree that Jesus is modeling … Continue reading Luke 23:44-56 Ego Death?
I wonder if Jesus was really afraid, and if he really suffered. I know that there’s some danger in saying this, because we take such comfort from his suffering. It explains and dignifies our own. But I’m led to this question by my beloved Teresa of Avila, who wrote After the rapture has passed, the … Continue reading Luke 22:47-71 The Mind of the Martyr
It is hard to read this portion of the Gospel without tears coming into my eyes. I think it’s Jesus saying, “Simon, Simon, listen!” that gets to me - it’s so urgent, so full of passion and hope. Jesus knows that he only has a few hours left, and that if his disciples are going … Continue reading Luke 22:24-46 The Urgency of Hope
Yesterday I talked about how Jesus’ teachings provided an alternative to the other types of Judaism being practiced at his time. In an anxious world that was predicting its own destruction, Pharisees worked at mutating their religion so that it could survive, Sadducees doubled-down on the old ways and traditions, Zealots sharpened their weapons and … Continue reading Luke 13:22-35 The Narrow Door of Suffering
KPB Stevens 