Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven…. Matthew 6:1
Ah, yes. Spiritual authenticity is without salesmanship, it just is what it is.
This sentence jumped out at me: "To perform deeds of holiness is to absorb the holiness of deeds. We must learn how to be one with what we do.” I think there is more to this. What about looking for and finding holiness in non-action as well as action (deeds)? Nature is an example, so are the everyday lives of human beings. I rarely see the young couple next door to me. Both work out of their home, so I don't see them together much when they are outside. However, I was recently blessed by their coming together. The young woman was out of town for about 8 days and during that time her husband seemed to be MIA. However, when she came home I saw the garage door go up and he met her halfway to the car and they kissed and embraced. They had no idea I was watching through my kitchen window (Rest assured I was not stalking. I just saw activity outside and my eyes were drawn...) I felt so blessed not only because I witnessed their love for each other, but to know these lovely people live next door to me. Seeing married people kiss and embrace is not a natural occurrence in our culture. I wish it were. Loving in this way is authentic.
Ah, yes. Spiritual authenticity is without salesmanship, it just is what it is.
This sentence jumped out at me: "To perform deeds of holiness is to absorb the holiness of deeds. We must learn how to be one with what we do.” I think there is more to this. What about looking for and finding holiness in non-action as well as action (deeds)? Nature is an example, so are the everyday lives of human beings. I rarely see the young couple next door to me. Both work out of their home, so I don't see them together much when they are outside. However, I was recently blessed by their coming together. The young woman was out of town for about 8 days and during that time her husband seemed to be MIA. However, when she came home I saw the garage door go up and he met her halfway to the car and they kissed and embraced. They had no idea I was watching through my kitchen window (Rest assured I was not stalking. I just saw activity outside and my eyes were drawn...) I felt so blessed not only because I witnessed their love for each other, but to know these lovely people live next door to me. Seeing married people kiss and embrace is not a natural occurrence in our culture. I wish it were. Loving in this way is authentic.
I don't think you were stalking your neighbors. :-)
And yes yes yes on the seeing the holiness in the everyday, in the non-action. Amen!