do be do be do

the obsession to be good, to do what one should, is the greatest hindrance to genuine kindness and compassion. because such an obsession is inward - rather than outward - focused. to truly love, you must completely forget self. worrying about heaven and hell is similarly unproductive.

all the obsession to do... i don't see that in Jesus. instead, i see an emphasis on being, seeing, feeling, caring, loving. the actions i've read were singular and noteworthy in that they many times resulted from long periods of solitude or prayer. i've at times noticed something that even approaches annoyance when he was forced into an action where - possibly - he felt "no action" was preferable.

i'm thinking of the marriage feast at Cana and the changing of water into wine. i'm quietly amused at the almost peevishness or playful nature of the miracle. that Jesus used the water destined for the Jewish purification rite seems almost like "thumbing your nose" or poking fun.

you know, i don't see a lot of fun or playfulness from the christian right. maybe they should work more on being, and less on doing.

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