He Came as a Thief in the Night

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). What do we want in our faces, our interiors, on an everyday basis? We want constructive thoughts about work and study of various kinds. We want rumination on the Word and application of it to our feelings and thoughts, both those that flow outward into deeds and utterances and those that remain within. And we want humility, direct reminders of our being just another dot in a big universe. And we want gratitude. We who live in the developed world are not nearly grateful enough. We do not take sufficient consciousness, as a rule, of how we have access to a quantity and quality of goods and medical and dental services that even royalty did not enjoy in most times and places of human history.  Someone who makes little more than minimum wage and works full time has access to hot showers and dental care across the developed world....

I've been reading the <<Meditations>> of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, since I love wisdom literature. And it is very wholesome for Christians. He insists on the importance of being good even in one's thoughts to the best of one's ability. And he has been a way I believe that God has gotten through to me how to apply the Lord's commandment to turn the other cheek to a situation. In the New Church we do not teach that this commandment to turn the other cheek involves literally not to defend ourselves as individuals or groups or nations; for this would result in ruin! Certainly parry that blow and if necessary neutralize that target in defense of self and loved ones and what is greater even than these.  We are not to return evil for evil. We can return defense to aggression, but we are not to hate and otherwise commit sin against the neighbor. This brings me to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius again. He insists throughout the <<Meditations>> that we are ours...