Blinding flash of the obvious: Respect is possibly the most important thing we can give to whatever is coming into our consciousness...be it person, thing. weather, or stumbling block.
Recently I heard a woman say that she reads Jesus's words in the original Aramaic. This was said in pretty much a "bragging rights" way, and I'm grateful I did not feel the need to respond in any way. (Probably, in truth, because I didn't think of a response until later when I was talking to my bathroom mirror.)
But the fact is it does not matter in what language we read any spiritual work...if we're reading to remember so we can preach it, we're missing the entire point no matter what spiritual work we're into.
I'm reminded of the short story, Flowers for Algernon, where the main character is just learning...period. He has just gotten...I remember not but say exclamation marks...and he's writing a letter: Dear! Sir! I! wish! to! advise! etc., etc., etc. That's true when we're reading to learn so we can parade what we're learning. The end result is we've got a bunch of words strung together, signifying nothing of spiritual significance.
To me, the sole reason for reading Jesus's words is to make them our own in order to live them. And by-the-by a soul reason for us to learn his words is to learn to live respect...which I am being led to believe is very likely the most important courtesy we can extend in our walking-around world today.
Respect especially includes for our own thoughts. Keep 'em courteous...our life's work in three words.
Thank you.
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