But many people find spiritual richness when they allow their dreams and subconscious material to rise into consciousness where it can be recognized and acknowledged in order to give our conscious self some power over it.
One’s first duty is adoration, and one’s second duty is awe and only one’s third duty is service. And that for those three things and nothing else, addressed to God and no one else, you and I and countless human creatures evolved…
The sons of Levi respond, and Moses has them take swords and set upon the camp. “Go back and forth from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill your brother, your friend, and your neighbor.” The text says that about three thousand people died that day. (A comparison: Over 900 died in the Jonestown, Guyana, suicide-killings among the People’s Temple cult of Jim Jones.)
There are times when contemplative prayer goes especially deep. In those experiences, “I” disappear. Any sense of my self as separate from the all evaporates. There is no experience of time. There is only everything.
Genocide happens when the world averts its eyes and turns away.
But in the scripture, “righteous” and “righteousness” is a much bigger word. Usually it is an economic and political word.
It is part of our condition of ignorance and finitude that we don’t know now what we don’t yet know.
It takes a bit of trust to let God bring you your life instead of satisfying internal or external taskmasters for your security.
Sometimes it seems that the message is so simple. “I love you and I am with you. Do not be afraid. Live in peace, and act in love.”
It seems that he believes in us. That may be more important than our believing in him.