Readings Friday April 22nd

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.

Readings Thursday April 21th

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.

Readings Wednesday April 20th

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.

Readings Tuesday April 19th

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.

Readings Monday April 18th

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

Readings Friday April 15th

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!

Readings Thursday April 14th

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.

Readings Wednesday April 13th

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.

Readings Tuesday April 12th

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.

Readings Monday April 11th

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.