In the Eknath Easwaran daily reader, "Words to Live By," there is a vignette of Saint Francis teaching a disciple what perfect joy is. It's a bit of a shaggy dog story, going on about what perfect joy is not, with the punchline being: Brother, suppose we go to that monastery across the field and tell the gatekeeper how weary and cold we are, and he calls us tramps and beats us and throws us out into the winter night. Then, Brother, if we can say with love in our hearts, 'Bless you in the name of Jesus,' then we shall have found perfect joy.
Every year on this day, August 4, I read that and marvel that I knew it to be true the first time ever I read it in 1996 when the book was given to me. I used to think the real marvel was that I never thought less of me for not being anywhere near able to do that. Today, I know the pearl beyond price...I am no longer "nowhere near...."
This year, my angel JoB came to my aid in this regard, and I have held her in my prayerful heart every day since.
Even better, the gift she gave me is multi-tiered: First, I do know that my material mind can be seduced by reason in a heartbeat. Second, the spiritual directive to tell no human is the antidote to my reasoning mind getting seduced...which is priceless and really hard to remember. Third, the difference between psychological (self-care) and spiritual (God care) could not be clearer. Fourth through a gazillion will come as long as I continue practicing it.
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.
Thank you.
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