March 12, 2021
There is an episode in the gospels (the stories about Jesus Christ) in the New Testament of the Bible where Jesus is teaching in a synagogue, and what he says so upsets his audience that they hustle him to a hilltop with the intention of flinging him over the cliff—a handy remedy for discomfort. However, the last line of that story reads, “But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way,” Luke 4:30. A recent reflection on this passage ended with this question: “What would it be like for you to leave the crowds and follow Jesus on his way?” What would it be like for any of us to leave the crowds and follow our spiritual guides?
To answer that question, I had to consider who the “crowds” are in my life. In this age of social media, don’t we all, to some extent, have “crowds” that we are part of, whether it be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WordPress, or any of the numerous other options? How about our newsfeeds? Which ones do we follow, shall I say, “religiously”? How do those crowds and voices influence us? Do they make us more compassionate? Loving? Generous? Beautiful? I spend very little time on social media these days, much less than I used to. I found myself getting caught up in, and adding to, the noisy crowds during this past year of plague and politics, and that is not who I want to be. I discovered that it is true that we become like the people we follow. If we follow self-righteous, rigid, judgmental people (or institutions), we ourselves become self-righteous, rigid, and judgmental. If we follow prejudiced, fearful, and violent people (or institutions), we become the same. You get the picture.
The ancient guide Benedict writes in his rule for living a full life that “those who choose to follow bear the responsibility for their choice of leaders.” That is a sage warning worth pondering in this season of self-reflection. What kind of person does each one of us desire to be and does who we are following help guide us in that direction? If our hope is to follow the Divine Source of our Being, whatever we name that, then it often will require that we leave our crowds to do so. It can be a lonely journey, definitely a counter-cultural one, but if it makes us into people of light, love, compassion, and healing, then let us be encouraged to “go on our way.” Blessings ~ Rosemary
Spirit Reflections 
Thank you for this insight, Rosemary. I can relate. Your last sentence gives me hope and comfort.
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Rosemary, Although other of your postings have inspired me both up and down in terms of passion or cold sadness or even hope, this one is so solid. I mean that in terms of showing me-the people, the way and at the same time completely open armed to whatever the way is for whomever is ready and weary & wary to walk a new kind of walk.
I hold dear the Lenten season I successfully fasted bread and potatoes – no small feat for an Irish Lass like myself. I also kept every night of Holy Week in church, including the vigil ( and, of course, I fell asleep on my shift )… ( and, every other time I’ve tried to keep the vigil– drat. I guess I’m just like a regular old disciple ). But after reading today’s writing, I feel a way forward I haven’t felt before. Don’t get me wrong it all seems very impossible in terms of cyber ether and populism, but it’s kind of like you gave us all a spiritual place or at least a place where we can hold our heads up and walk through all.
Thank you.
And let me say again and again that was the most beautiful card. Thanks some more.
S2
On Fri, Mar 12, 2021, 7:58 AM Spirit Reflections wrote:
> rosemarymcmahan posted: ” March 12, 2021 There is an episode in the > gospels (the stories about Jesus Christ) in the New Testament of the Bible > where Jesus is teaching in a synagogue, and what he says so upsets his > audience that they hustle him to a hilltop with the intenti” >
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Thanks so much, Susan. Trying to listen to Spirit in all of these musings.
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What a lovely posting Rosemary. In this day of so much darkness, we need all of the light we can get, and your message shines forth to point the way for others to follow. The courage it takes to leave behind the old and move into a new unknown future is formidable. Your message offers a lifeline to those brave souls willing to take on the challenge. Blessings in your work and on your journey.
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Thank you for your affirming words, Julia.
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