Friends,

They who are sowed in the good land are those who in a simple and good heart hear the Word and hold fast, and bring forth fruit in patience (Luke 8:15).

I have been thinking a lot about patience.  It seems more relevant than ever, as we start to resume what feels like a more regular rhythm of life, return to old routines (which for several of our families includes the start of a new school year), and generally start to adjust to a “new normal”…while also acknowledging changes that will probably be here for some time.  Everything requires a new degree of intentionality.  It all takes a lot of time, and energy, and patience to exist in this present moment.

I really like the picture painted by the above quote.  Jesus uses the image of the simple and good hearted having been sown (in the good land incidentally) and needing to have that seed be nurtured (through hearing the Word) and then grow in stages.  It takes time.  It’s a process, eventually resulting (if we’re faithful) in the bearing of fruit.  Here is how it is explained in one passage from the Teachings for the New Church (penned by Emanuel Swedenborg):

"To bring forth fruit in patience" means to do truths and goods even when living amidst falsities and evils.  (Swedenborg, Revelation Explained 813)     

So being patient on the spiritual level then is less about pace.  It is more about trusting the process, and “staying the course” in the face of evil inclinations within and circumstances without…remembering the ultimate purpose or goal.  The same passage goes on:

The Lord’s patience in temptations, of which He suffered the most grievous of all, is described in these words in Isaiah:  He endured persecution and He was afflicted, yet like a lamb He opened not His mouth (53:7).  "Enduring persecution" means temptations; "to be afflicted" means their grievousness; "to open not His mouth" means patience.

There is no question this is a natural and (for some) spiritual struggle (one way temptation is translated in the New Century Edition of Swedenborg’s Writings).

In another article, maybe we can speak more about the distinction between purely natural versus spiritual temptations.  For now though, perhaps it is enough to remember that the One who created us exercised the most extraordinary patience the world has ever seen, in the face of truly unimaginable persecution and affliction…for the sake of our salvation.  Maybe remembering that can help us not just physically slow our pace.  Maybe it can help us trust, and hope, and do what is good.

The phrase that recently occurred to me around this was “it won’t be like this forever…”  Another way of putting this is: “in the end it really is going to be OK…so if it’s not OK, it’s not the end!   

Without a doubt (says the Lord), adopting that mind frame requires real spiritual perspective and growth:  “This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.”  (Revelation 13: 10)

Love and Peace,

Ethan

 

(Continuing To) Care for One Another:   Several folks have updated the conversation around health and safety at Sunrise Chapel (ref. last week's announcements and signage). A desire was expressed for SRC to make clear its own hopes for the health and safety of our attenders in light of increased variant numbers.  We need to stay vigilant for the sake of our members (some of whom are uniquely vulnerable), and are therefore requesting those attending indoor worship to consider masking.