As Is The Feeling,
So Is The Result.
In 1973, I offered to serve in The Chaplain Corps of The United States Navy. I passed the physical and Navy brass in San Diego made arrangements for me at the school for such things in Rhode Island.
My first friend, upon matriculating at The Union Theological Seminary, NYC, was a U.S. Navy Chaplain then working on the degree of Master of Sacred Theology, the next academic step after the degree of Bachelor of Divinity (now styled Master of Divinity), the which to earn was the purpose of my presence at that institution. I do not remember his name, but he inspired in me the thought of ministering in the U.S. Navy.
Eventually, and after all other options visible to me were unwanted or closed off, I applied to do that.
The United Church of Christ judicatory in San Diego, where I resided at the time, said, Nyet!.
Three times, all in Episcopal Church Parishes, have I offered to lead a seminar on some work or works of theology. The first, in 1976, on Teilhard’s The Phenomenon of Man, was accepted by the Rector, proceeded for three or four very pleasant meetings, then was terminated by the Rector. The second, in 2001, on ecumenical theology, was ignored by the Rector. The third, in 2018, on Tillich’s A History Of Christian Thought, was ignored by the Vicar.
Pastors of The United Church of Christ left me. Prelates of The Episcopal Church left me. Something else was afoot. I bore presence of something they did not like. I cannot imagine what that would have been or would be.
In 2014, my sister asked me to lead a seminar with her friends and acquaintances, using Apple FaceTime, on a collection of sermons by The Rev. Dr. George Arthur Buttrick and titled The Parables Of Jesus. The Rev. Dr. Buttrick was our father’s Professor of Homiletics at The Union Theological Seminary, NYC, in the early 1940s. The seminar with her friends and acquaintances that my sister well-organized went well and gave me pleasure doing, both reasons it went well.
“Help ever, hurt never” – That is true liberation! To get rid of moha (attachment) is true moksha (liberation). Do not try to find faults with others. If you point an accusing finger at someone, remember that three fingers are pointing at you. Satyam kanthasya bhushanam (Truth is the true ornament to the neck), and Hastasya bhushanam danam (charity is the true ornament to the hand). Your hands are useless if they do not perform acts of charity. You have to sanctify each limb of your body in sacred activities. You should empathise with those who are in difficulties and try to give them solace. Comfort and console them with soothing words. Those who talk harsh words are verily demons. If you hurt others’ feelings, you will be hurt twice as much. You cannot escape the consequences of your actions. You have to bear this truth in mind. Your life will be sanctified when you conduct yourselves in a manner not to hurt others!
- Sathya Sai Baba – Divine Discourse, November 19, 2002 / Daily Email, Sai Inspires: Subscription
Βασιλεία του Θεού