Tuesday, 3 November 2020

A Moment Aside for 3 November 2020

 

A Moment Aside ---- 3 November 2020

                                                                                                      
 
                                           

     There are two “posters” up today. One seems somewhat less business-like, but to me, they’re both saying the same thing.

     The Talmud is a collection Jewish Rabbinical teachings which often gives a commentary on the Scripture, whether the Torah (the first 5 books of the Hebrew Scripture) or the Prophets and Wisdom literature. This quote from the Talmud appears to be a comment on Micah 6:8 (He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
) It puts it in the context of every person’s everyday life. The tremendous grief and suffering of the world is depressing and off-putting. Still we are asked to do what we can, as we can, when we can. We are asked to do out part NOW, despite the seeming insignificance of what we can do. We may not change things by what we do and as the Talmud says, we are not obligated to bring about those changes. However we are not free to lay down our task. As drops of water and gusts of wind wear away the rock, our little contribution to the health and reconciliation of the world is very real and very needed. Don’t despair and do your part, as small as it might seem.

     The little cartoon of the kitty-cat with the small candle says almost the same thing. Even in the darkest darkness, the eye is drawn to light. In a world of so much darkness, whatever light we might kindle, carry, or offer will make a difference… somehow, some way, to someone.

     Our age doesn’t matter.

     Our size doesn’t matter.

     Our gender doesn’t matter.

     Our health doesn’t matter in this situation.

     Remember the word of the prophet:

 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; 

and what does the Lord require of you

 but to do justice, and to love kindness, 

and to walk humbly with your God?

                                                

 

     

1 comment:

  1. This little light of mine....
    love it! Thanks Pastor John

    ReplyDelete