{"id":2500,"date":"2014-11-18T14:20:13","date_gmt":"2014-11-18T20:20:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/umpteenhorizons.org\/wordpress\/?p=2500"},"modified":"2015-05-07T08:05:18","modified_gmt":"2015-05-07T13:05:18","slug":"a-personal-meditation-on-seeing-and-hearing-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/umpteenhorizons.org\/wordpress\/2014\/11\/18\/a-personal-meditation-on-seeing-and-hearing-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"A Personal Meditation on Seeing and Hearing Jesus"},"content":{"rendered":"

In my last post, I discussed how people of different beliefs can and do work well together on common efforts to attain sobriety and to make peace. I discussed how we can respect each other\u2019s diverse perspectives on our \u201cHigher Power,\u201d and how we can respectfully support each person\u2019s needed spiritual awakening. In response to these thoughts, some Christians questioned my beliefs: Am I Christ-centered enough? Am I a true Christian?<\/p>\n

Today, I am sharing a meditation that I wrote to help me on my needed and ongoing spiritual journey. The meditation is based on the Gospel and is based on our common humanity, particularly our gift of love.<\/p>\n

The meditation has 10 parts. I like to savor one or two of these parts at a time to help me start my day. I hope you enjoy the meditation, and of course feel free to share with others.<\/p>\n

~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~<\/p>\n

Today I see and hear
\nOur Father and our Mother
\nOur fountain of Mercy and Justice
\nGifting Humanity
\nThrough wondrous plants, animals, water, lands, air, and sky
\nGifting Humanity
\nIn all places, through all cultures and people, and throughout all times
\nGifting Humanity
\nWith wondrous helpers, teachers, humorists, and truthsayers
\nGifting Humanity
\nWith wondrous artists, dreamers, thinkers, and story-tellers
\nGifting Humanity
\nWith wondrous healers, reconcilers, peacemakers, and prophets
\nGifting Humanity
\nWith wondrous children, family, friends, needy ones, and wanderers
\nGifting Humanity
\nWith each person<\/p>\n

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\"Let<\/a>
\nToday I see and hear
\nOur Mother and Father
\nOur fountain of Compassion and Strength
\nGifting Humanity
\nWith Jesus
\nA helper, player, and worker
\nA learner, teacher, and encourager
\nA healer, forgiver, and peacemaker
\nJesus our Brother who lives for us all
\nJesus our Revolutionary who dies for us all
\nJesus our Savior who has been raised for us all
\nJesus the Child of all Humanity<\/p>\n

~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~<\/p>\n

Today I see and hear Jesus
\nCome with me serving and caring<\/span><\/strong>
\nI follow Jesus and live with Jesus
\nServing and caring<\/p>\n

I hear Jesus celebrating people\u2019s goodness
\nBlessed are you who are poor
\nBlessed are you who hunger
\nBlessed are you who mourn
\nBlessed are you who are merciful
\nBlessed are you who make peace
\nBlessed are you who are hated, reviled, and persecuted
\nYou are the salt of the Earth
\nYou are the light of the world
\nLet your light shine<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I see Jesus respecting people
\nA patient friend
\nListening
\nPlaying along
\nTrusting
\nSharing heavy burdens
\nAccepting people as they are
\nWelcoming all
\nBlessing all<\/p>\n

I see Jesus turning life around
\nFor the outcasts, the dirty, the disorderly, and the mischief-makers
\nFor the strangers, the lepers, the weird, the addicted ones, and the prostitutes
\nFor the humbled, the abused, the searchers, the conservers, and the broken hearted
\nFor the sick, the hurt, the young, the old, and the dying
\nFor those who have crashed and
\nFor those who have fallen through the cracks
\nI see Jesus revealing each person\u2019s hope
\nSupporting and encouraging each person\u2019s joy
\nI see Jesus
\nAs Child of God
\nCalling each of us
\nEven me
\nAs Child of God
\nInto one Family<\/p>\n

Not judging, not condemning, not holding back
\nI see Jesus showing up and standing up for others
\nI hear Jesus upholding me
\nLet your light shine
\nRise up and carry our revolution
\nAnd wherever you go
\nCelebrate, respect, and welcome<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~<\/p>\n

Today I see and hear Jesus
\nCome with me serving and caring<\/span><\/strong>
\nI follow Jesus and live with Jesus
\nServing and caring<\/p>\n

I see Jesus sharing compassion, wisdom, and encouragement
\nI hear Jesus building upon humanity\u2019s gifts and
\nTeaching the Way based on love
\nAs you wish others would do for you
\nDo so for others
\nDo not insult or hurt another
\nIf someone strikes you on one cheek
\nOffer your other cheek as well
\nDo not return evil for evil
\nDo not fight or ridicule
\nDo not even pray
\nUntil you go and seek reconciliation
\nBe merciful as your Abba is merciful
\nLove like Abba loves
\nGenerously give to the just and unjust
\nLove whether people love you in return or not
\nLove expecting nothing in return
\nPut away your swords
\nFor those who live by the sword die by the sword
\nTrust in Abba
\nLove your enemies<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I hear Jesus sharing Abba\u2019s love and
\nThe wonders of nature
\nThink of the birds
\nThey neither sow nor reap
\nThey have neither storehouses nor barns
\nYet Abba feeds them
\nThink of the lilies
\nThink of how they grow
\nThey neither toil nor spin
\nYet Abba clothes them
\nMore beautifully than royalty
\nAbba knows your needs
\nFear not
\nTrust
\nIt\u2019s Abba\u2019s joy to give you the Kingdom<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I hear Jesus trusting us with stories
\nStories of mustard seeds, making bread, hidden treasures, and businesspersons
\nStories of fishing nets, lost sheep, banquets, and Good Samaritans
\nStories of merciful lenders, weeds and crops, wayward children, and persistent widows
\nStories of humble and poor folks, sheep and goats, harvests, and weddings<\/p>\n

I see Jesus meeting us where we\u2019re at
\nInviting us along our path of renewal
\nCome to me
\nAll you who are weary
\nAnd heavily burdened
\nAnd I will give you rest
\nFor I am gentle and lowly of heart
\nAnd my work and my burdens
\nare easy and light
\nLive in me and I in you
\nAbba, like a Good Samaritan
\nLoves and cares for you
\nGo and do likewise<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I feel Jesus stirring me up
\nI hear Jesus
\nLet your light shine
\nRise up and carry our revolution
\nAnd wherever you go
\nShare love, understanding, and joy<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~<\/p>\n

Today I see and hear Jesus
\nCome with me serving and caring<\/span><\/strong>
\nI follow Jesus and live with Jesus
\nServing and caring<\/p>\n

I hear Jesus engaging us
\nBe good and trustworthy servants
\nGive food to the hungry
\nGive clothes to those in need
\nVisit the imprisoned
\nWelcome and celebrate strangers
\nLive and work
\nSo that everyone
\nNeighbors near and far
\nCan have and share a good life<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I hear Jesus engaging us
\nBe good and trustworthy family members
\nGive each one the nourishment to grow
\nGive each one the love they need
\nComfort the sorrowful
\nWelcome and celebrate each new member
\nLive and work
\nSo that everyone
\nSisters and brothers near and far
\nCan have and share a good life<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I see the goodness
\nOf light, water, land, air, and fire
\nOf Earth, moon, planets, sun, and stars
\nOf rain, food, sunshine, and seasons
\nOf plants, fungi, animals, and all living creatures
\nI see Jesus engaging us with the goodness of all things
\nBe good and trustworthy servants
\nPreserve nature
\nRestore all that has been despoiled and wasted
\nProtect the endangered
\nWelcome and celebrate all creation
\nLive and work
\nSo that everyone
\nCreatures near and far
\nCan have and share a good life<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

In my life\u2019s efforts
\nI see Jesus
\nInviting me into an out-of-the-way wilderness
\nLeading me up a mountain
\nStilling the storm within me
\nOpening me to life\u2019s mysteries
\nStrengthening me for the journey ahead and
\nIn each step accompanying me
\nAsk and it will be given to you
\nSeek and you will find
\nKnock and the door will be opened to you
\nConsider life\u2019s mysteries deeply in your heart
\nPray that Abba\u2019s Yearning will be done
\nOn Earth as it is in Heaven
\nGive thanks
\nGive praise
\nBless all
\nBe one<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I see Jesus
\nA stranger, neighbor, spouse, sister, brother, and needy one
\nArdently seeking to do Abba\u2019s Yearning
\nOn this Earth as it is done in Heaven
\nI hear Jesus engaging us
\nLet your light shine
\nRise up and carry our revolution
\nLove, love, love
\nWherever you are
\nWherever is home
\nAnd wherever you go<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~<\/p>\n

Today I see and hear Jesus
\nCome with me serving and caring<\/span><\/strong>
\nI follow Jesus and live with Jesus
\nServing and caring<\/p>\n

Humbled and coming to our senses
\nFor what we have done and not done
\nWe see Jesus
\nComing in mercy and compassion
\nComing to set us free from all our undoings
\nWe too come to Jesus<\/p>\n

I hear Jesus
\nRise from your failings
\nI love you
\nI know you love me too
\nYour sins are forgiven
\nLeave them behind
\nForgive yourself
\nBe happy
\nLet us put a ring on your finger
\nAnd celebrate our togetherness
\nYou are forgiven
\nGo in peace
\nShare the joy of your restoration
\nAnd live free of sin<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Likewise forgive
\nWhoever has wronged you
\nSeventy times seventy
\nAgain and again
\nForgive, forgive, forgive
\nAlways renewing the Earth with love<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I see Jesus our Liberator
\nI hear Jesus
\nPeace be with you
\nAs Abba has sent me
\nI send you
\nReceive the Holy Spirit
\nWhenever you forgive anyone
\nThey are forgiven
\nLet your light shine
\nRise up and carry our revolution
\nAs I have forgiven you
\nSet others completely free of their sins
\nForgive and be forgiven
\nWherever you go<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I wade into the river of forgiveness
\nForgiving others
\nAnd I find that I am being forgiven too<\/p>\n

~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~<\/p>\n

Today I see and hear Jesus
\nCome with me serving and caring<\/span><\/strong>
\nI follow Jesus and live with Jesus
\nServing and caring<\/p>\n

Jesus comes to heal
\nI hear Jesus
\nWhat do you want?
\nTrust In Abba
\nLet me see your sickness, your infirmity, your possession
\nFeel my hands upon you
\nMy hands upon your needs
\nTrust
\nLove
\nRise and be healed
\nGo your way and live afresh
\nYour faith has made you well
\nYour faith has saved you<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I see Jesus with the sick, suffering, and healed
\nI hear Jesus
\nIn the same way
\nWith me
\nGuided and empowered by the Holy Spirit
\nHeal sickness, infirmities, and possessions
\nLet your light shine
\nRise up and carry our revolution
\nBeing healed and healing wherever you go<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~<\/p>\n

Today I see and hear Jesus
\nCome with me serving and caring<\/span><\/strong>
\nI follow Jesus and live with Jesus
\nServing and caring<\/p>\n

I hear Jesus call us to renew the Earth
\nWith all our talents
\nAnd with all our efforts
\nWith love and justice
\nWithout harm to anyone
\nTo fulfill our duties
\nDoing what is needed
\nTo Sustain and give life
\nFor all creation and for all people
\nTo take charge and transform our world
\nSo that our world will benefit all
\nI have come to set the world on fire
\nAnd how I wish it were already blazing<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Let us rid and purify our lives
\nOf all callousness and injustice
\nOf all exploitation and corruption
\nGet these things out of here
\nStop turning my Father\u2019s house
\nInto a marketplace and
\nInto a den of thieves
\nAs the Scriptures proclaim
\nMy house shall be a house of prayer
\nFor all peoples
\nThroughout the Earth
\nJust as it is in Heaven<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I see and hear Jesus
\nLet your light shine
\nStir up the people
\nCarry our revolution
\nRise up for all humanity
\nAnd wherever you go
\nRenew the Earth with the fire of your love<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~<\/p>\n

Today I see Jesus
\nI ask Jesus
\nWhen, Jesus, when?
\nWhen will we be healed?
\nWhen will we be victorious?
\nUnless the grain of wheat falls to the ground
\nAnd dies
\nIt remains just a grain of wheat
\nBut if it dies
\nIt produces much fruit
\nHere\u2019s the way to find the life that you seek
\nDeny yourself
\nLose your life
\nTake up your cross
\nBear another\u2019s burden
\nAnd follow me
\nServing and caring<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus keeps speaking
\nAnd I keep listening
\nTo find life
\nPass through the narrow gate
\nBring others with you too
\nDistribute your possessions for the needy
\nKeep only what you need
\nSpeak simply and truly
\nDo not judge
\nDo not compare
\nDo not focus on the speck in your neighbor\u2019s eye
\nWhen you do not see the log in your own eye
\nDo not parade your alms, deeds, or prayers
\nBut in secret without credit to yourself
\nDo not let one hand know
\nThe good that your other hand is doing
\nSeek first the Kingdom
\nDoing whatever is needed
\nWashing another’s feet with your tears
\nStanding by another’s cross
\nTaking the least important place
\nBeing like this child in my arms<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I see the child
\nThe child is held by Jesus
\nHugged
\nI hear Jesus
\nBe gentle and humble
\nBe cheerful and grateful
\nEnter into life\u2019s deep waters
\nBe born afresh
\nEveryone who loves is born of God
\nBe born of the Spirit
\nBecoming a Child of God
\nFor God is Love
\nExperience all that Abba, your Father, wants for you
\nBe led by the Spirit
\nLet the wind blow where it will<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We are becoming the child in Jesus\u2019 arms
\nI am resting in Jesus\u2019 arms
\nWe hear Jesus
\nCome with me
\nI have chosen you
\nDear brothers and sisters
\nI have appointed you
\nTo go forth and bear lasting and life-giving fruit
\nAsk Abba with me for whatever is serviceable
\nAnd receive it in love
\nRemember always that
\nAbba sends and gives the Counselor, the Spirit
\nTo all those who ask<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I follow Jesus and live with Jesus
\nServing and caring
\nI die
\nI am born
\nI am raised
\nMy time has come
\nI am alive
\nThe Child of all Humanity lives in me
\nI see Jesus
\nI hear Jesus
\nLet your light shine
\nRise up and carry our revolution
\nAnd wherever you go
\nBring childlike grace, good news, and life<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~<\/p>\n

Today I see and hear Jesus
\nJesus is preparing us for his journey to Abba
\nCome with me
\nEven in this difficult time
\nLet\u2019s celebrate and give thanks
\nLet\u2019s wash each other\u2019s feet
\nLet\u2019s break bread together
\nLet\u2019s pray together
\nLet\u2019s stay awake together<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I see Jesus deeply troubled
\nI hear Jesus
\nAbba loves the world so much
\nBut this world is full of hurt and hate
\nDo not be of this world
\nThe time is coming
\nWhen you will weep
\nAnd the world will rejoice
\nWhen those who kill you
\nBelieve that they are doing God a service
\nBut do not let sorrow fill your hearts
\nForgive them
\nThey do not understand what they are doing<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We wash feet and break bread together
\nWe hear Jesus pray
\nAbba may all these your children be one
\nJust as you and I are one
\nAnd through their love for one another
\nMay many others find and experience your love<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I see Jesus\u2019 life offered
\nPlaced before me
\nI hear Jesus
\nLove one another
\nAs I have loved you
\nI lay down my life for you
\nYou are my friends
\nLive in my love
\nThat your joy and your life will be complete<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

In all this
\nI am greatly troubled too
\nI try to stay awake and hopeful
\nBut I find great difficulties in doing this
\nStill I hear Jesus
\nI am not leaving you deserted
\nThe Counselor, the Spirit, will come to you
\nAnd will always be with you
\nRely on our Counselor
\nGuiding you
\nAnd anointing you with all virtue
\nKeep coming together and I too will be with you
\nKeep showing up for others and I too will show up for you
\nKeep standing for all and I too will stand for you
\nKeep upholding one another and I too will uphold you
\nKeep awake and I too will be awake at your side
\nYou will fail sometimes
\nBut do not fear
\nBe bold and courageous
\nOur present sorrows will turn
\nTo joy
\nTo forgiveness
\nTo healing
\nAnd to thanksgiving
\nMy peace I give to you<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

My hopes are growing stronger
\nI hear Jesus
\nKeep letting your light shine
\nKeep rising up
\nAnd keep carrying our revolution
\nWherever you go<\/span><\/strong>
\nYes, Jesus, I am joining your journey
\nI am dying to myself
\nI am becoming a friend of all
\nI am becoming family for all
\nI am becoming in you a living member
\nOf the Child of all Humanity
\nOur renewed Humanity whose members are
\nStriving always to love as you and Abba love
\nThis Humanity being renewed and coming on the clouds of Heaven
\nTo renew the Earth<\/p>\n

Peace be with you
\nAs Abba has sent me
\nI send you
\nServe
\nCare
\nBe a friend
\nShare wisdom
\nForgive
\nHeal
\nWork
\nRenew
\nBe a child
\nBe a light
\nUphold others
\nLove
\nAnd Smile<\/span><\/strong>
\nI see and hear
\nThe Heavens are glad
\nThe Earth rejoices
\nThe deserts blossom
\nThe seas roar
\nThe forests and the hills dance
\nAll that has life shouts with joy
\nThank you Abba
\nThank you Jesus
\nThank you all who love<\/p>\n

~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ~<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In my last post, I discussed how people of different beliefs can and do work well together on common efforts to attain sobriety and to make peace. I discussed how we can respect each other\u2019s diverse perspectives on our \u201cHigher … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[152,36,28,237,83,176],"tags":[258,201,262,137,261,264,195,259,260],"class_list":["post-2500","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gods-infinite-love","category-healing","category-nature","category-peace","category-positive-energy","category-solidarity","tag-child-of-all-humanity","tag-forgiveness","tag-healing","tag-jesus","tag-let-your-light-shine","tag-love","tag-non-violence","tag-revolution","tag-sermon-on-the-mount"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/umpteenhorizons.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/umpteenhorizons.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/umpteenhorizons.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/umpteenhorizons.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/umpteenhorizons.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2500"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/umpteenhorizons.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2570,"href":"http:\/\/umpteenhorizons.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500\/revisions\/2570"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/umpteenhorizons.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2500"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/umpteenhorizons.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2500"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/umpteenhorizons.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2500"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}