![](\"https:\/\/64.media.tumblr.com\/3178f4dd0ceb8eef7a4d6de8c8d5a81e\/60fed14e154ac9d5-c9\/s540x810\/b8a5d99a32f53cd06ca52f2736d0c214ba635b96.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n
This
\nimage also helps me feel the way the Psalm does, with \u201cFor a
\nthousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or
\nlike a watch in the night.\u201d \u00a0It puts my fears, as well as my
\nfrustrations and my hopes, into context. \u00a0There is so much beauty and
\nthere is so much peace, EVEN NOW.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The
\nGospel also serves as a much needed reminder speaking into these
\ndifficult days. \u00a0The teaching here isn’t unique to Jesus, or to
\nChristianity. \u00a0Rather it is near universal in the world’s religions.
\nYou may know the story of two great Rabbis, Shammai and Hillel in the
\ncentury before Jesus:\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n\n\t\tOne famous account in the
\n\t\tTalmud (Shabbat 31a) tells about a gentile who wanted to convert to
\n\t\tJudaism. This happened not infrequently, and this individual stated
\n\t\tthat he would accept Judaism only if a rabbi would teach him the
\n\t\tentire Torah while he, the prospective convert, stood on one foot.
\n\t\tFirst he went to Shammai, who, insulted by this ridiculous request,
\n\t\tthrew him out of the house. The man did not give up and went to
\n\t\tHillel. This gentle sage accepted the challenge, and said:\n\t\t<\/p>\n“What
\n\t\tis hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole
\n\t\tTorah; the rest is the explanation of this\u2014go and study it!”1<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/p>\n
This
\nis the key to a life of faith then: \u00a0Love.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Nothing
\nmore or less.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Nothing
\ncomplicated.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Love.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Loving
\nGod and neighbors. \u00a0We can break it down, or expound on it, but in
\nthe end it is just love. \u00a0There is plenty of commentary on what it
\nmeans, which is good because it is more challenging than it sounds.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
One
\npiece of commentary that has been most meaningful to me comes from
\nthe Buddhist tradition. \u00a0From Buddhism, have learned that
\nloving-kindness flows from compassion, and compassion HAS TO start
\nwith yourself. \u00a0Then it can flow to a loved one, and then loved ones,
\nand then known ones, and then unknown ones.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Because
\nmost people I know, myself included, aren’t actually all that good at
\nself-compassion, THIS is my suggestion for you this week: \u00a0once every
\nday find a way you can be more compassionate to yourself, that is to
\ntreat yourself with loving-kindness.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
As
\nthis may seem strange, let me make it a bit more concrete:<\/p>\n\u00a0 If
\nyour self-narrative says, \u201cSelf, you are so lazy, there is so much
\nto do, get up and DO IT\u201d self compassion may sound like, \u201cSelf,
\nyou seem warn down. \u00a0Clearly you need a few moments before anything
\nelse is asked of you. \u00a0What might make those moments more
\nrefreshing?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
or…<\/p>\n
\u00a0If
\nyour self-narrative says, \u201cSelf, you were really mean to that
\nperson you spoke to, you are a failure at basic human dignity.\u201d
\nself-compassion may sound like, \u201cSelf, that went really poorly
\ndidn’t it? \u00a0I know I meant to do better, and I didn’t. \u00a0Let’s look at
\nwhat went wrong, and see if we can find a turning point for next
\ntime.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
or….<\/p>\n
\u00a0If
\nyour self-narrative says, \u201cSelf, for pete’s sake, stop doom
\nscrolling! \u00a0What is wrong with you, you know better!\u201d self
\ncompassion may sound like, \u201cSelf, it is a scary time and I know you
\nare looking for answers and hope. \u00a0However, refreshing the news or
\nscrolling social media doesn’t have it, does it. \u00a0It would be nice to
\nfeel like there is more control in the world, but alas, my power is
\nonly so big. \u00a0What do I have control over that I could substitute?
\nHydration? \u00a0Taking a \u00a0nap? \u00a0Deep breathes? \u00a0A walk? \u00a0Let’s find
\nanother way to respond to anxiety that helps more!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
That
\nsort of thing. \u00a0This week, I hope you will do this once a day! \u00a0And,
\nif you are superbly good at this (wow! \u00a0Go you!) then you can try
\nhaving compassion for ONE other loved one a day too.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It
\nis funny, but loving our neighbors starts with loving ourselves. \u00a0And
\ncompassion for the world starts with letting God’s compassion reign
\nin our hearts.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
So,
\ndear ones, go and love.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Amen<\/p>\n
1<\/a> https:\/\/www.chabad.org\/library\/article_cdo\/aid\/689306\/jewish\/On-One-Foot.htm<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
October 25, 2020<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"