I believe that with the mixing of the Age of Aquarius with the Age of Pisces traditions, there has been considerable misunderstanding of many of Jesus’ adages. But I want to take this confusion one step further, and suggest that the reason why this disorder has prospered, is because for millennia, Jesus’ teachings were already misunderstood, being passed on from unregenerate souls. And there is no blame to be had here, I believe that we do the best we can with what we have. I was told by a high-ranking Mason that there are no mistakes: we all make the best decisions that we believe are right at the time. But this is a new time, a reawakening of higher mysteries that permits light to be shed on new areas of the Path without recrimination.
For the sake of perception, I will quote the famous instruction of Jesus which is to enter through the narrow gate via one of my favourite translations, The Message. On the surface, it looks like a vastly different teaching than we have been accustomed to with standard and accepted translations of many denominations such as the KJV, NIV, NLT, and the ESV. It can even look so perverted from previous translations that it ought to be rejected. But when we can read between the lines with willing hearts and open minds, we can see that the teaching has not changed:
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention." (Matthew 7.13-4, MSG)
Even the Quran teaches about the straight and narrow path (1.6). That said, contrary to popular religious belief, there is nothing wrong with a broad and roomy path. As King David wrote, “You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.” (Psalm 18.36, ESV). We all must start off on milk, before we (the initiate) can move onto solid food. “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready.” (1 Corinthians 3:2, ESV).
The narrow gate is for our safety and benefit, but it takes love, dedication, loyalty, and resolve to pass through it. And until we can live in those virtues, it is perfectly acceptable to walk a broad path, even when staying on it for too long can cause wandering and confusion.
What I have found is that the higher mysteries gives us a way out of the folly of mixing oil and water – New Age/New Thought with Christianity, or of accusing spirituality to be in opposition with religion. We can look at both paths to be ways to higher truths, but one simply has a specific time and place, because it takes more focus and intention.
Does that make the narrow gate better than the broad path? I don’t believe so, because there is no place for human or spiritual hierarchy when it comes to seeking God and living in His will. The neophytes who are still on spiritual milk are no less than the skilled who are on solid food, but rather could benefit from the compassion of the adept, for the steps are clear, but the reasons why we take those steps are not. “Knowing God” or “Having peace” are end goals, but oftentimes are not powerful enough to remember in times of aridity. It can be of benefit to help the weary make better sense of the feelings and the hesitation during their journey, and in so maybe even take the initiates one more rung up God's ladder.
For the sake of perception, I will quote the famous instruction of Jesus which is to enter through the narrow gate via one of my favourite translations, The Message. On the surface, it looks like a vastly different teaching than we have been accustomed to with standard and accepted translations of many denominations such as the KJV, NIV, NLT, and the ESV. It can even look so perverted from previous translations that it ought to be rejected. But when we can read between the lines with willing hearts and open minds, we can see that the teaching has not changed:
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention." (Matthew 7.13-4, MSG)
Even the Quran teaches about the straight and narrow path (1.6). That said, contrary to popular religious belief, there is nothing wrong with a broad and roomy path. As King David wrote, “You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.” (Psalm 18.36, ESV). We all must start off on milk, before we (the initiate) can move onto solid food. “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready.” (1 Corinthians 3:2, ESV).
The narrow gate is for our safety and benefit, but it takes love, dedication, loyalty, and resolve to pass through it. And until we can live in those virtues, it is perfectly acceptable to walk a broad path, even when staying on it for too long can cause wandering and confusion.
What I have found is that the higher mysteries gives us a way out of the folly of mixing oil and water – New Age/New Thought with Christianity, or of accusing spirituality to be in opposition with religion. We can look at both paths to be ways to higher truths, but one simply has a specific time and place, because it takes more focus and intention.
Does that make the narrow gate better than the broad path? I don’t believe so, because there is no place for human or spiritual hierarchy when it comes to seeking God and living in His will. The neophytes who are still on spiritual milk are no less than the skilled who are on solid food, but rather could benefit from the compassion of the adept, for the steps are clear, but the reasons why we take those steps are not. “Knowing God” or “Having peace” are end goals, but oftentimes are not powerful enough to remember in times of aridity. It can be of benefit to help the weary make better sense of the feelings and the hesitation during their journey, and in so maybe even take the initiates one more rung up God's ladder.
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| c/o Kseniya Hunina |
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