Speaking of Spirit

Photo Art: 2019 Rev. Linda M. Rhinehart Neas “Who needs superheroes when you have a brother.” In this life, we each have something to learn and something to teach. I believe this. One of the great teachers of my lifetime, my younger brother, Barry, was also one of the greatest superheroes I have ever met. As a lifelong student, Barry, struggled at times, but never gave up. Once he learned a lesson, he shared it with everyone...and I mean everyone! (which is how he became an amazing teacher...no degree...simply a naturally born teacher) His elevation to superhero came after his struggle with liver failure five years ago. After a liver transplant from one of his best friends, (who was a closer match than Barry's male relatives) he dedicated his life to giving back to others and helping as many people as he could.  This week, he joined the Saints when his battle with cancer came to an end.  The following are lessons, our Barry taught with great abandon! Lif...

In his book, Put Down Your Sword, Fr. John Dear talks about his friend , Pete Seeger, "For years, one of my friends, the legendary folksinger Pete Seeger, has questioned friends and audiences who feel hopeless.  “In the early 1970s,” he asks, “did you ever expect to see President Nixon resign because of Watergate?”  “No,” people answer.  “Did you ever expect to see the Pentagon leave Vietnam the way it did?”  “No, we didn’t,” everyone answers.    “In the 1980s, did you expect to see the Berlin Wall come down so peacefully?” Pete asks.  “No, never,” they respond.    “In the 1990s, did you expect to see Nelson Mandela released from prison, apartheid abolished, and Mandela become president of South Africa?”  “Never in a million years.”  “Did you ever expect the two warring sides of Northern Ireland to sign a peace agreement on Good Friday?”  “Never.”  “If you can’t predict those things,” Pete conclu...

Photo Credit: (c) 2017 L. M. Rhinehart Neas Whatever kindnesses we do for others, we do for the Divine, which is what we read th roughout the sacred scriptures of almost all faith paths. As children growing up with a vivid imaginations, we may find it easy to see the Divine in others. However, as we grow older, more occupied with the trails and tribulations of life, this ability wanes.  How can we meet others in a continual spirit of Love and Compassion? How can we keep our inner eyes open to seeing the Divine in all, even those who are difficult to care about in this world, now?  First, as always, we must see the Divine within ourselves. Each of us is born with this Sacred Spark within us. This is what helps us to feel the pain of others when they suffer, and the beauty around us when we are in nature. This is what brings us joy.  If we feed our spirits, the spark can become a beautiful, loving Light. If we continually harden your hearts, ignoring the pain and...