Back to Reflections
As time goes on and I read more and more books in the area of spirituality and religion, it becomes quite clear that after a while most religions have a tendency to lose their dynamic core. The change is often due to a form of domestication of both the teaching and the life of the founder. Another way of saying this is that we make saints only after they are dead. That way, we can shape them into our ideological stance rather than be challenged by their lives.
These thoughts certainly came to mind as I read the book, The Wisdom Jesus, by Cynthia BOURGEAULT. She makes it clear in her book that Jesus came as a teacher of inner transformation, not the creator of a major institution. The way to this is by becoming a seeker, not a believer in one thought or the other. She reflects on scriptural texts that manifest how some who encountered and experienced him, not only recognized who he was, but, possibly more important, recognized who they were. This happens, not primarily through knowledge of texts and mastery of practices, but through direct experience, intuition, and inner revelation.
Followers of Jesus were encouraged “to seek and you shall find.” This journey included both confusion and wonder, not a position of certainty. Attitudes of receptivity and openness were essential if they were to follow him.
Today, more and more Christians are struggling with aspects of the Christian message as communicated through the authority figures of the churches. At times, we may ask whether we are hearing the message and challenge of Jesus or a domesticated form of teaching that sustains the status quo of a particular institution. Even to ask this question can open many frightening doors as it challenges us to set out on our own personal challenge and journey, not settling for easy answers that are provided to us. Jesus was certainly one of the great persons of humanity who challenged the powerful of his day and possibly continues to do so if we are willing to walk a path that goes beyond our usual boundaries and into a vast horizon.
BOURGEAULT begins her books with the following reflection from The Gospel of Thomas: Wisdom of the Twin:
If you are searching,
You must not stop until you find.
When you find, however,
You will become troubled.
Your confusion will give way to wonder.
In wonder you will reign over all things.
Your sovereignty will be your rest.
