Attached

Monday, November 27, 2006 -- Week of Proper 29

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 995)
Psalm 106:1-18 (morning) // 106:19-48 (evening)
Zechariah 10:1-12
Galatians 1:1-10
Luke 18:15-30

Jesus tells the rich ruler, "Sell all you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." He can't do it.

Another of Jesus' sayings popped in my mind. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Yesterday in our 10:00 class, our Tibetan friend Geshe spoke of suffering being something in our minds. It comes from attachment. We have certain desires and expectations, and we become attached to them. If our desires and expectations are not met, we suffer because of our attachments.

All is impermanent, said Geshe. Nothing will last. Why be attached to it?

Jesus invites the rich man to let go of his attachment to his wealth and to have treasure in heaven. Then Jesus invites him into the company of disciples with the same words he has used for Andrew, Peter, James and John. "Come, follow me."

One day the rich ruler will become detached from his wealth, either through loss or death. Nothing is permanent.

There's an old saying that I first heard at Cursillo. "If your free thoughts, your time, and your money were a comet, and you were attached to its tail, where would it take you?

"That is your God."
___________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR