Journal of Sacred Work

Days 258-260 – Earthly Stories with Heavenly Meanings

[Reading time: 1 minute 10 seconds]  

   A first year medical student scans a corpse. "Where do I start?" he ponders. The professor will give instructions. A good professor will model why this work is sacred knowing there are no instructions for the sacrosanct.

   Love is taught best through personal example, presence and stories. 

 
A love note  A picture matters because it suggests a story.

   All beliefs honor story-telling. Why did Jesus teach in parables when he could have used only commands?

   "Who is my neighbor?'" a lawyer asked Jesus. He could have answered, "everyone."

   Instead, Jesus understood story-power. He told the lawyer the parable of the Good Samaritan.

   Some have said that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Yet, even though the meaning is "heavenly" stories help you live Love's mystery on earth. 

   Stories, allow you to "get it" on your own. Jokes aren't funny if you don't get them and can be hilarious if you do. Stories that help you "get it" can trigger epiphanies.  

   When a recovery room nurse speaks to an unconscious patient she humanizes both him and herself. When a housekeeper puts down her mop to hold the hand of a screaming patient she shows you compassion. When you tell these stories you help others learn Love.

   But, do you have what Jesus called "ears to hear?" If you cannot hear Love's voice you might pick up a patient's hand like a robot. 

   How does Love cradle a patient? Imagine the person's deeper story. This is someone's mother or brother or friend. 

   Listen with sacred ears to the stories of others. You will find what cannot be taught with instructions: Love. 

-Erie Chapman

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2 responses to “Days 258-260 – Earthly Stories with Heavenly Meanings”

  1. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Thank you for this stunning reflection on the power of Jesus teaching through parables and encouraging us to imagine the deeper story of those we encounter. I think we are continually at risk for categorizing or labeling people. When we depersonalize or objectify it is easy to become callous, uncaring or to reject others. It can even be a breeding ground for contempt or hate to spread like wildfire.
    Recently I watched and was surprised by the unfolding story in a film called “Into the White.” It took place during WWII during the invasion of Norway. As fate would have it a few German as well as English soldiers find themselves sharing an abandoned cabin in arctic weather amid the dead of winter. Their planes had been shot down on a mountaintop and they spent 3 months together in survival mode. During this brief interlude it was fascinating to see the transformation from enemies to friends, at least, until they are catapulted back into the misery of war. What was most touching to me is the fact that it was a true story.
    Thanks too Erie, for gifting us with the above image; a precious salutation that speaks of mutual love.

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  2. sbeng Avatar
    sbeng

    This story tells how a father’s Love for her daughter shown in a practical way taught her how to succeed in life by his living example. Her father was a very successful businessman. He was very disciplined in his money management and informed the daughter that he was not going to leave her much money when he passed on. The daughter was clueless about money and money management. He opened a small savings account and told her she can get the money for use and she can save some money too. Not long after the father passed away and the daughter finished high school and she had not enough of money to go to the University to pursue her goal for a career she aspired-no hope for an adequate inheritance that she thought she would get at least for her future career goal! The daughter was stuck about regarding her future career. She remembered what her father had told her about money management and now she has to map out her future on her own. She remembered about the saving account her father had opened for her and linked it to the practical situation she faces. She has to learn to make the money and save it too. The next thing the daughter did was to apply for a scholarship and went abroad to study for nursing and she graduated a was able to see the world, broaden her knowledge by learning from other people of other ethnicities and culture how they succeed monetarily in life. Love showed her the example and by her own experience she was able to live earn, save and spend her hard earned money and help others through her fathers example.

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