Today Roshi reads from Isaiah 52:13 – See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.
Roshi’s comment: Exaltation is what the first Christians believed about Jesus, that God raised him from the dead and exalted him. This is the last of our Lenten readings.
Celebrating the institution of the Eucharist
Roshi’s comment: Today is a joyful celebration for Christians, as we celebrate our complete oneness with God and oneness with each other.
Today Roshi refers to Zechariah 13:7- Jesus says, “All of you will have your faith in me shaken tonight.”
Roshi’s comment: We all have our price.
Today Roshi refers to John 13 – The betrayal of Judas
Roshi’s comment: Our sufferings were not made to crush us, but to bring us to great fruitfulness.
No audio available today
Until Roshi’s return, here is a quote offered for the day:
The logs of wood which move down the river together
Are driven apart by every wave.
Such inevitable parting
Should not be the cause of misery.
Nagarjuna, Founder of the Madhyamika (middle path) school, 150-250
Due to technical difficulties no audio available today
We offer the following poem to keep you company throughout the weekend:
An Easter Hymn by Thomas Blackburn
Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
Today Roshi reads from John 8 – Jesus said, If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing…
Roshi’s comments: Jesus as a deeply enlightened man lived in the eternal presence… His enemies so hated him they rejected the light, and looked only for ways to kill him.
Today Roshi refers to John 8:31-42 – Jesus says. “The truth will set you free. Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!”
Roshi’s comment: When we sit in zazen, we experience that the mind is not free. It continually slips away from us.
Today Roshi reads from John – Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the Glory of God?”
Roshi’s comments: The call is to put fear aside because fear is useless… to believe in life and be open to it.
Today Roshi reads from the Prophet Ezekiel – The Lord makes promises.
Roshi’s comments: God will open the graves of our heart and fill it with His spirit of joy and hope… The words of God bring life and bring us out of our grave.
