Posted June 4, 2015 by Charlie Van Dyke in Meditations
Richard Rhor's Daily Meditation
Jesus Is InterFace with God
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
The Jewish philosopher Emmanuel Levinas (1906-1995) said the only thing that really converts people at a deep level is seeing "the face of the other." Receiving and empathizing with the other leads to transformation of the whole person. This exchange is prepared to transform both persons--the seer and the seen. According to Levinas, the face of the other, especially the suffering face of another person, creates a moral demand on your heart and your mind that is far more compelling than the Ten Commandments. Just giving people commandments doesn't change the heart. It may steel the will, but it doesn't change the heart.
Franciscan spirituality emphasizes the imitation and love of the humanity of Jesus, not just worshipping his divinity. We recognize how humble and human Jesus was, which makes him imitable for us. Doing what he taught--"Follow me"--might actually be possible! Francis' earnest desire was to be like Jesus; his simple rule for the Franciscans was "To follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps."
Would that many more of our religious leaders and politicians would understand this point!
Jesus Is InterFace with God
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
The Jewish philosopher Emmanuel Levinas (1906-1995) said the only thing that really converts people at a deep level is seeing "the face of the other." Receiving and empathizing with the other leads to transformation of the whole person. This exchange is prepared to transform both persons--the seer and the seen. According to Levinas, the face of the other, especially the suffering face of another person, creates a moral demand on your heart and your mind that is far more compelling than the Ten Commandments. Just giving people commandments doesn't change the heart. It may steel the will, but it doesn't change the heart.
Franciscan spirituality emphasizes the imitation and love of the humanity of Jesus, not just worshipping his divinity. We recognize how humble and human Jesus was, which makes him imitable for us. Doing what he taught--"Follow me"--might actually be possible! Francis' earnest desire was to be like Jesus; his simple rule for the Franciscans was "To follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps."
Would that many more of our religious leaders and politicians would understand this point!
English (US) 