Rise & Fall #holyweek #universal

 

This week, April 2, 2023 thru April, 9, 2023 is known as a Holy Week for at least two of the major World religions, that of Christianity and Judiasm, with Palm Sunday, Passover, Good Friday, and, finally, Easter.  As I was preparing the scheduled social media posts for this month's birthdays and holidays, I was reflecting on how, as an ex-fundie Christian, I would express the importance of this week, especially that of the Christian religion. It struck me that the symbolism of rising and falling, death and resurrection is one not singular to Christianity or even one spiritual path, but one that can be found across cultures and religions throughout history.  

Relevant links: 

https://psy-minds.com/resurrection-several-religions/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/life-after-death-different-religions-philosophy/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dying-and-rising_deity

Religion and spirituality is an attempt to make sense of life and of existence.  The ways in which spiritual walks seem to be varied and different is actually a mask for their similarities.  One of which is the narrative of death, dying to self, endings, then resurrection, born again, and new beginnings.  The reasoning for this can be discovered within the workings of humanity and nature.  For into each life a little rain must fall, but joy comes in the morning.  In every life, no matter the race, nationality, or even species, good things befall as well as hardships.  We rise up, we fall down, we rise again.  If then, spirituality is a means of attempting to make sense of the chaos of life, then the texts and teachings of the various religious and spiritual teaching are figurative explanations for finding understanding and hope.  As it is written that deities of old, such as Jesus, died and rose again, so to, we experience losses, sorrows, the deaths of life which then lead to the enriching experience of rising again with renewal. 

Friday The 13th: The History

 

As today is Friday the 13th, the day fraught with the feeling of fear, bad luck, and horror, I thought I would take a bit of time to showcase the history behind the date and how it came to have such undertones.  To begin with, the phobia of the number 13 has the distinction of being labeled, "triskaidekaphobia" while the fear of the date, Friday the 13th, is called, "friggatriskaidekaphobia".  That being said, it is important to note that many suffer from a very real fear of the number and date which should be taken into consideration.  As I am one who struggles with an anxiety disorder and phobias, I feel the need to express my empathy towards those who suffer with such and offer a trigger warning for the below information to follow.  However, in my recovery, I have found discovering the root cause of the phobia, in this case the history behind, may help to alleviate the anxiety induced. 

The fear surrounding the number 13 has a long history wherein the anxiety about it has been passed down through the ages.  One origin comes from Christian history regarding the last supper, as many believed at that time having 13 seated at a table was bad luck possibly leading to death, and it is known that Good Friday, the crucifixation of Jesus, occurred the next day.  Perhaps, Jesus, the anarcharist that he was, residing on earth to shake up the imposed social norms, chose to have 13 at the table.  Jesus, the OG founder of the 13th Club. 

Yes, in fact, there really was a Thirteenth Club, reported to be founded by Captain William Fowler (Sorry Not Sorry, Jesus) in the late 19th century.  The club itself was founded to remove the stigma surrounding the number 13 and specifically the rule against having 13 seated at a table.  The club would gather on the 13th day of the month in room 13 of the Knickerbocker Cottage where they would dine on a thirteen course mean.  However, before the meal commenced, all would walk underneath a ladder with a banner above with the words, “Morituri te Salutamus,” Latin for “Those of us who are about to die salute you.”

The most significant reasoning for the phobia around Friday the 13th occured on October 13, 1307, with the arrest, torture, and massecre of the Order of the Knights Templar.  The Knights Templar were a devout Christian order from Jerusalem created between A.D. 1118-1119 with the express purpose of protecting European pilgrims traveling to the Holy land, with many other duties were given, such as becoming the defenders of the Holy Land crusader states, brave warriors, and, some might believe, the keepers of the secret family and offspring of Jesus himself.  (Some believe that, some do not, take that as it were.)  

Thus, through all of this, the Knights Templar were able to accrue much wealth and property, some may believe that was the artifacts proving the existence of Jesus' family and offspring and that was the reason for the persecution of the Order.  Many began turning against them, fighting back, in their quest to retain the wealth for themselves, and finally, on October 13, 1307, based on a decree set forth by King Philip IV of France, the Knights Templar, including the grand master, Jacques de Molay, were rounded up, arrested, and tortured under false charges.  They were forced confess to the false charges of heresy, homosexuality, financial corruption, devil worship, spitting upon the cross, and much more.  Even despite these confessions, many Templars were executed by being burned at the stake and de Molay was killed in 1314.  

Because of this history and superstition surrounding the date and number 13, there are recent occurrences that occurred on Friday the 13th, such as the German bombing of Buckingham Palace in September 1940 to the Bangladesh cyclone that killed over 300,000 in November 1970 to the murder of Tupac Shakur in September 1996.  

Therein lies the saga of how Friday the 13th became to be the fear inducing date that is known for today.  So, doing by reading through this, I hope that this may alleviate any fears, superstitions, and phobias that one may suffer with surrounding this date and this number.

Research for this article from:

https://www.fox13news.com/news/friday-the-13th-origins-why-the-day-is-considered-unlucky

https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/friday-the-13th

https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/the-knights-templar

 

 

Easter. And We All Shine On!

This week I sat in a coffee shop writing.  I sat at the window looking out onto the patio.  A man on the patio was reading his Bible, enjoying the sunshine and the morning coffee. I laughed at him, no, let me explain, I didn't laugh at him directly.

I laughed at the life-style of which he is in, the life-style I used to prescribe to, try to conform myself towards.  A year ago or more, I might have packed up my computer and moved to another table so as not to see him, his activity bringing up flashbacks from that spiritually oppressive time of my life.  Even further back, I would have left the coffee shop entirely, unable to explain the uncontrollable shaking consuming me.

But instead on that day last week, I laughed.  As I recalled the controlling ways the church turned the loving words of God and Jesus into methods of dominating and submission, I laughed at all the absurd ways they did just that.  Instead of feeling that cold feeling of suffocation overwhelm me at the memory, instead of feeling the heartbreak over the friends I'd lost still in that life-style, I laughed. It's all rather absurd when you think about it.  And, after all, laughter is the best medicine, right?

A few days before this coffee shop encounter, a woman I work with, a teacher, had casually mentioned that Easter was first a pagan holiday, not primarily Christian.  It resonated within me as I reflect on how this last year I'm starting to embrace the earlier spiritual aspects of my younger self.

Then, Good Friday comes around.  A friend on Facebook requests assistance with what book to study in the Bible.  Without much thought, I answer him with what I recall being taught.  "Start in the New Testament and read a chapter a day," I post.  And truly, I was not bitter or sarcastic.

That night, at dinner, I talk to my boyfriend, Michael, about the Good Friday and Easter weekend packages of years passed.  I tell him about how on Good Friday we'd do our best to whip ourselves into some emotional feeling of contrition, remorse, while inwardly we felt nothing or at best, the opposite.  Instead of just attending the Good Friday service and allowing whatever was taught to hit us as it would, we had to fit ourselves into the mood of everyone else, conform so as not to lose points with the leadership and other attendees.  Then, come Sunday morning, high on coffee and jelly bean sugars, we'd praise Jesus with "He Is Risen" and you best hide any feelings of depression and unhappiness behind strained smiles of forced mirth.

I say to my boyfriend, "Was our faith genuine?" Yes, it was.  "Was the emotion genuine?" Most likely not.

But, still looking back there were times of sweetness even despite all the production that went into the Good Friday and Easter weekend package.  The Bible and its profound sweetness did hit me and did leave a lasting effect.

For when all is said and done, I bear no ill will or dislike to the Bible.  After reading other spiritual texts this last year, I have come to the understanding that it is one of the World's Spiritual Texts and should be honored as so.  ( A side note of import: This is my personal discovery and is not something I need to or will enforce on others spiritual paths.  I have had enough doctrinal viewpoints enforced upon me thus I won't do it to another. We all have our paths to spiritual and self-discovery, my path is not to dictate yours nor is yours mine.  Nor will enforcing one's views on another cause them to follow.)  Thus, when I saw this man at the coffee shop reading his Bible or my friend posting his request on Facebook, I can respond with love at that fond memory.  I recall mornings spent at coffee shops, my bible open, pouring through the words reaching down deep into my heart, penetrating and cleansing my soul, the sunlight hitting my face, the coffee warm to the taste.  I read other spiritual texts now with similar profundity.  I treasure those memories myself spent in personal bible study as a strong undertaking of my spiritual journey.  I will not condemn anyone else's personal study and reflection of that Holy Book despite my harsh experiences with the church and the organized religion of Christianity.

I forgive and in that forgiveness, I let go.  By letting go, I recall only the good memories, the sweet memories of deep Bible reflection and healing from it, sweet friendships over coffee, pizza, and other goodies, long, heartfelt prayers and good laughs.

Happy Easter and happy spring to all.  And, no matter where you are or what you believe, may blessings and love fall upon you.

Instant Karma

Black Friday or Good Friday?

Wait, has anyone ever really thought about that? That the day after Thanksgiving we call Black Friday, but the day that we honor Christ's death on the cross we call "Good Friday"....hmm, interesting?  But, really, Christians call it Good Friday, because it is the day our sins are washed away, completely, one hundred percent forgiven, and as I read today gives us the ability to enter into intimacy and complete union with the Father.  Did you know God's complete purpose in sending his son is redeeming us so that we could have complete intimacy with him, unbroken, unconditional love?

So, really, today is Black Friday, because people forget what to be thankful for and hurry to be bombarded with Christmas musak, commercialized Santas, and oh so many people just for that deal.  I worked in retail, so I know the drill.  Really, I am one to go to little out of the way bookstores, or pick up things throughout the year, that just speaks to me about that person.  So, really, today can be called Black Friday, because of the emphasis on commercialized capitalism and not what the true meaning of the season is.  And doesn't this season begin Sunday for Catholics?  I forgot what that is called, my Catholic friends can remind me.  But, my husband and I went to the first Sunday mass after Thanksgiving with my Grandma last Thanksgiving and the Lord truly met us there.  Say, what you want about Catholic churches, you closeminded evangelicals who think you know the right way to seek the Lord, Jesus does show up there.

So, after spending my Christmas holidays in college shucking through Black Fridays, I am very happy to note that I will not partake of that.  Maybe because its in Medford, and if you are an Ashlander, you try to avoid the Medford scene as much as possible...some people feel like they have to take a shower after they return from Medford or do some spiritual ritual to cleanse away the demons.  And, I already have a stack of books that I have been collecting at local bookstores for friends and family, little gadgets for others, and such.  And thinking about helping out at a food pantry or such for the Christmas season, helping those less fortunate, because my husband and I may seem to be "one of the least fortunate" we've got more than some, so as the Bible keeps saying "whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed".  And my heart's prayer is always that I may not do it for the repayment for the Lord, but that it needed to be done, except sometimes the repayment from the Lord is just the joy and peace of the Lord, ie the Holy Spirit.

What I have been learning from my reading of scripture, of reunion with friends, healing wounds with my father, books, is that salvation is a gift that enables us, just not eternal life, but true intimacy and relationship with the Father and, of course, Jesus.  I have learned that because of my crazy times my mind goes berzerk, I am not condemned by the Father, his love is always open to me.  It is me that runs away because of self-condemnation, not the Father, who wants to hold me and wipe away the tears.  So, either because of the crazies or the racing thoughts or just the time of year, I can find rest in knowing my security is in Christ, my relationship with the Father is secure.  Is yours?

This Christmas I hope to give more than I receive, in some small ways.  For those of you who have been following my reading, Bill and I met a military man during our layover in San Francisco.  I am trying to get his address so that Christmas cards can be sent to him from many, and maybe a package from my church.  Since all this combat, I haven't used my emotion to have anger towards Bush but have felt an amazing heart and need to reach out to those in service, through prayer...seems like a door has been opened.  So, anybody who reads this who wants to help by sending a Christmas card or what have you? Send me an email and when I get his address, if I can, I will send it to you...juliacweston33@gmail.com

Also, I plan on tithing the little that I have, especially for my child in Central America.  Her name is Roxana and she is a gift from the Lord.  Because of financial troubles, I have been wonton to fork over the 32 dollars to pay for her needs, but something convicted me in that I needed to start doing it, after all, God blesses our obedience and God seems to be opening up doors for us to be able to do things like this, like food stamps, health plans that pay copays and such, a potential work situation for me, what have you....and hopefully if work does come through this year, I will try to buy her a little gift, or maybe, just send her a Christmas card...

For any of you interested in reaching out to an orphan or a child less fortunate (Roxana is not an orphan), look into Compassion International, its a very honest organization and seems to be doing some good for God and for children.  There have been several opportunities for me to do mission trips, but, alas, I always lacked the finances...maybe in the future...and hey 32 dollars is really not a lot, come on, you can go without that coffee, to provide shoes, clothes, food, good schooling, and spiritual education for a young one....a future that they may not already have.

I mean, when we think of the gift that was given to us in the form of a baby, that humbled himself to sleep in a manger, in a barn, really, that would offer us security and eternal communion with the father, unbroken, unconditional...it seems like nothing that we can give the little that we have to help out another....and as I have heard, it doesn't have to be with our money, it can be our time, or physical presence....

Prayer is a big part of reaching out to the world and definitely I have seen prayers answered.  I believe God is answering big prayers this Christmas season for my family, especially my dad.  Maybe I was too close to see and was too inundated with his anger to really see beyond that, the pain he was feeling...but the very hunger that he had to read all those Billy Graham books, he's humbled and may not be able to hide anymore....God speed into that house, I pray.  Anyway, come what may, God has entered my heart and removed the root of bitterness towards my father, and I accept him for who he is and who he was in my life, may the healing between us begin and may God be our head.  And, that is the one of the best gifts I could receive this Christmas, isn't it?

So, remember the meaning of this season; the true gift of salvation that offered us, not just entrance into heaven (that's pennies according to the reality) but lasting, unconditional love and intimacy from the father, his sole purpose before the fall of man.  His sole purpose for creating you.

I leave you with this, the greatest commandment that Jesus spoke:

"Love the Lord your god with all your heart, mind, soul, and body"

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."