Readings Friday December 24th

Today Roshi reads from Isaiah 62:1-5 and Psalm 89

Roshi’s comments: Tomorrow we celebrate this Gift of God, this deification, this human, this spousal with God. All here at Morning Star Zendo, wish you joy, peace, love, and a Merry Christmas!

Today marks the end of our Fall Ango 2010. Thank you for your support during our period of intense practice. May the new year bring you smiles.

Readings Thursday December 23rd

Today Roshi refers to Luke 1:57-80 – The birth of John the Baptist

Roshi’s comment: It is a story of a father who did not believe and then finally came to faith. There is a Roman epitaph very close to this theme. It says, “Tomorrow, he who never loved, may love.”

Readings Wednesday December 22nd

Today Roshi refers to 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -Hannah’s Prayer and Luke 1:46-56 and -Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat

The Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness.

Behold from now on all ages will call me blessed:
the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.

He has shown might with his arm,
disbursed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly.

The hungry he as filled with good things,
the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy, according to
the promise to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

Readings Tuesday December 21st

Today Roshi refers to the story in Luke 1 where the Archangel Gabriel visits Mary and Elizabeth.

Roshi’s comments: The joy in this story is, of course, God’s Gift… we too will find forgiveness, liberation and joy.

Readings Monday December 20th

Today Roshi reads from Isaiah 7 – Ahaz says, I will not ask; I will not tempt the Lord.

Roshi’s comment: It is the acceptance of God’s providence in our life.

Readings Friday December 17th

Today Roshi refers to the genealogy of Jesus according to Matthew.

Roshi’s comment: If we wish to know Jesus at all, then we must understand the Jewish scriptures, and the history of the Jewish search for God.

Readings Thursday December 16th

Today Roshi refers to Luke 7

Roshi’s comments: Truth can separate people… When we cling to any truth or when we personalize it, or judge others by it, then the path closes.

Readings Wednesday December 15th

Today Roshi refers to Luke 7

Roshi’s comment: The themes of his Gospel (St. Luke’s) are joy, gratitude, and putting the self to death every day.

Readings Tuesday December 14th

Today Roshi reads from Matthew 21

Roshi’s comment: It’s what we do that matters.

Readings Monday December 13th

The sangha at Morning Star Zendo welcomes Carl Genjo Bachmann, Sensei as Kennedy Roshi’s 12th dharma successor.

Today Roshi refers to Matthew 21 – Jesus is asked from where his power to teach comes: from God or from man.

Roshi’s comment: It is up to us to choose, to act, and to put into human form the better angels of our nature.