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linkspooky · 1 year

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JUJUTSU KAISEN, CHAPTER 216 THOUGHTS.

Chapter 216: Bath reveals to us what exactly the “Bath” is and how Sukuna plans to use it to drag Megumi down further into the murky depths of his own conscious. This scene is soaked in Jungian symbolism, as Megumi’s control over the body (his consciousness) is superseded by Sukuna who take complete control of him. Sukuna and Megumi fighting over control of their own body greatly resembles Jung’s idea of the “Persona” and the “Shadow”, and is highly symbolic of Megumi’s personal arc as well. Which I will now detail under the cut.

1. Still Waters Run Deep

For a brief overview of Jung’s ideas, both Jung and Freud theorized the psyche (consciousness) was made up of three components. Freud’s iceberg theory of the unconscious likened the mind to an iceberg, as the most important part of the mind is what you cannot see.

Similiar to Freud, Jung divided the mind into three areas. While Freud named these unconscious, preconscious, and conscious, Jung divided the ego, the personal unconscious, and the collective unconscious.

Briefly, the Persona is the topmost layer of the psyche presented to the world

“A kind of mask, designed on one hand to make a definite impression on others, and on the other to conceal the true nature of the individual. (Jung, Two essays on Analytical Psychology).

WHhhle the persona is what one thinks as well as others think one is” the shadow is

“that hidden, repressed, for the most part inferior and guilt-kladen personality whos’s untimate ramification reach back into the realm of our animal acestors. (Collected works of C.G. Jung Volume 9)

Finally, the Collective unconscious the deepest layer of the mind sometimes referred to as the “objective psyche”, refers to the idea that a segment of the deepest unconscious mind is genetically inherited and common to all human beings. The collective unconscious is made up of knowledge, instincts, and imagery that every human is born with.

He posited because of this collective unconscious, there are recurring motifs and symbols he termed “archetypes” which appear in mythologies from different cultures around the world. This was his reason why two cultures who never had any contact with each other, could have myths with similiar stories. One of his greatest examples of this was the “flood myth” which recurs in many cultures, such as the biblical account and the flood in the epic of Gilgamesh.

This is where I tie it back to Jujutsu Kaisen and Sukuna’s “bath” because for Jung, water was the most common symbol of the unconscious.

“THe lake in the valley is the unconscious, which lies, as it were, underneath the consciousness, so that it is often referred to as the “subconscious”, usually with the perjorative connotation of an inferior consciousness.

Water is the “valley spirit”, the water dragon of Tao, whose nature resebles wayer - a yang embraced in the yin.

Psychologically, therefore, water means spirit that has become unconscious.

So the dream of the theologian is quite right in telling him that down by the water, he could experience the working of the living spirit like amiracle of healing in the pool of Bethesda.

The descent into the depths always seems to preced the ascent (Collected works of C.G. Jung Volume 9)

Above Jung references collective mythologies from different cultures to make his point, Taoism, the concept of Yin and Yang, and the pool of Bethesda from the New Testament where Jesus miraculously healed a paralyzed man. Rather than describe it as an inferior consciousness he likens it to the other half of the mind, the yang to the higher mind’s yin.

Obviously, Jujutsu Kaisen is making use of water symbolism as well, Sukuna is soaking Megumi to push him down deeper in his mind. This chapter is literally showing us Megumi’s “Descent into the depths.”

Shadows, and Water have always been a recurring symbolism for Megumi, though. Beginning with early on, Sukuna suggests to Megumi the real strength of the “Ten Shadows” technique is not the Shikigami he summons but the fact he uses his shadows as a medium.

It becomes apparent early on Megumi has what is easily the greatest technique in his clan, and yet he doesn’t utilize it properly nor does he realize its full potential. Megumi’s strength comes from his shadows, but Megumi does not even seem to be aware of his full potential.

When Gojo suggests that a Zen’in Clan Ten Shadows user defeated a Six-Eyes user in the past Megumi denies the fact he could ever be stronger than Gojo. When Megumi remembers Gojo’s lecture on how quick he is to give up and sacrifice himself in a fight, rather than “swinging for the fences” look what his newly formed domain expansion resembles.

His domain expansion “brings forth the deepest shadows” and when he uses it, it looks and moves like water. Megumi’s greatest power comes in utilizing his shadow, and yet paradoxically he is Megumi is a highly repressed individual character who always ignores and looks away from his shadow.

"Still waters run deep” is a phrase often used to describe the Jungian Shadow. Megumi is so much more than what he appears on the surface, you step forward in the water expecting it to be shallow and then you sink down into an ocean. This is because Megumi’s most common tactic is to suppress and hide his true feelings about things in any kind of stressful situation rather than dealing with him.

However, his eyes that were as deep as the night that peeped out from the bottom of a deep ditch became even more lifeless.

Fushiguro tried once more to switch off his self-awareness.

Numbness was the safety feature of life. If he did not think of a way to protect his spirit, it would not be strange if a curse was born.

In a wy, what Sukuna is doing right now is an extreme form of what Megumi always does. Megumi feels very helpless and out of control of his own life. His parents abandoned him. He didn’t want to be a sorcerer but was forced into it by a situation out of his control. When he did decide to become a sorcerer to stop Tsumiki from going to the Zen’in, he couldn’t protect her and Tsumiki was attacked by a curse despite Megumi being someone whose job it is to exorcise curses he was completely useless in that scenario.

Part of the reason Megumi was tricked so easily into losing possession of his body to Sukuna, is because Megumi has so little regard for his health and well-being. Yuji warned him multiple times that Sukuna was planning something for him, but Megumi didn’t even think about the danger to himself if he kept Yuji close. Megumi is someone who actively refuses to take control of his own life, and therefore, Sukuna takes it away from him.

However, Sukuna’s attempts to take control of Megumi’s body may not have completely succeeded. Just like there is no yin without the yang, there is no persona without the shadow. A person’s mind isn’t one or the other, it’s both.

The shadow isn’t the “true self” it’s merely the hidden self. Persona matters in identity too. As Kurt Vonnegut said, “We are what we pretend to be.”

Sukuna immediately decides to target and kill Tsumiki’s body, because the bath did not work in completely submerging Megumi’s soul.

As stated above, the descent into the depths always seems to precede the ascent.

It’s revealed the same chapter that Megumi’s body was taken over, that Megumi always had the potential to be a vessel just like Yuji did, which is why Sukuna needed to break his mind first before he tried to take control because there was always a possibility that Megumi could take his body back and seal Sukuna within rather than giving up control.

The descent into the depths always seems to precede the ascent, in a way this is what Megumi needs to do. It’s always what he’s needed. He needs to plumb the depths of his shadows, and then crawl out of those murky depths and back to the surface. Megumi needs to self-actualize and self-reflect as a human being rather than trying to keep everything in the dark because that’s the first step to taking control of his own life. Fighting back for control of his own body, is just Megumi facing his inner demons because he is literally fighting his inner demons in the form of Sukuna.

To further tie in this idea let me quote @theanimepsychologist

Also I know I sound like a broken record but Jacob’s Ladder is a HELL of a rabbit hole. It’s not just Urizen, it’s the implication of Jacob going through hell and then going up the ladder. Makes me wonder if Megumi will follow that since some of the current symbolism is totally about going into the unconscious where he’s having to face evil (Sukuna, the bath).

Remember, Jacob’s ladder is the technique that Hana / Angel tried to use to exorcise / reach Megumi and it seemed to be working until Sukuna tricked her.

If Sukuna manages to kill Yorozu / Tsumiki and that is a big if, I believe even Megumi can come back from that. Because Megumi has always tried living for the sake of others, doing things for Tsumiki or Yuji’s sake, when what he really needs to do is live for his own sake.

2. The Collective Unconscious

So, the Jungian symbolism associated with Sukuna baffled me for a long time. Originally, I thought Sukuna was supposed to be Yuji’s shadow because he lives deep within Yuji, he resembles him almost exactly (even Sukuna’s true four-armed form resembles him) he can take control of his body when Yuji’s willpower and consciousness wanes. However, when he switched bodies with Megumi in a way none of us saw coming that seemed to disprove that idea.

Then, was he supposed to be Megumi’s shadow all along? In the same way, Sukuna was only ever interested in Megumi and was always planning to take Megumi’s body from him, does that mean he was meant to reflect Megumi’s suppressed side?

However, after thinking about it I’ve come to a different conclusion. He’s not the shadow for Yuji, or Megumi, he’s both of their shadows. Rather, he represents the third part of the psyche buried deep within us, the collective unconscious.

The collective unconscious is shared by all of humanity, populated by instincts we are born with and contains the symbols that occur throughout all of mythology. Similarly, Sukuna himself is not only “Ryomen Sukuna” someone who is regarded as a myth in the story itself but turns out to be a real person. He’s also “the disgraced one” the enemy of “angel” a character who is clearly drawing from Jewish and Christian mythology. (The Jacob’s Ladder is from the Torah, whereas jewish and christian mythologies have wildly different ideas of satan, and “disgraced one” seems to have a resemblance to Milton’s depiction of Lucifer).

Which means Sukuna as a character draws symbols from both eastern and western mythologies. This is where Jung’s ideas also differ from Freud, he believed that people have a “collective unconscious” which influences them rather than just a “personal unconscious.”

Not only is Sukuna a sorcerer, he is “The Greatest Sorcerer”, he’s “The Honored One” (throw Buddhism into the mix with the polytheistic legend of who Ryomen Sukuna was). Sukuna was the peak of sorcery in the Heian era, and also the sorcerer all other sorcerers are compared to. A lot of the sorcerers of the past like Yorozu and Hajime agreed to the culling game, just for the chance of fighting Sukuna. Yuji even says “I almost forgot these guys are and will always be curses.”

Curses come from the collective pent up negative feelings of humanity, they are human emotions given physical form, they are born from the collective unconscious and Sukuna is the truest example of a curse there is. He is also an advocate for people living as selfishly as possible. He is pure instinct. He has a giant mouth on his stomach. The one and only servant he tolerates is a chef who is good at cooking them food. He’s a walking appetite who consumes everything including human flesh. His technique is based on cooking. His inner domain is on top of a massive stretch of water.

Sukuna isn’t just a product fo the ocean of the collective unconscious, he is the ocean.

My good friend @theanimepsychologist, the Jung to my Freud (this is a joke I don’t believe in Freud’s theories) also pointed out to me that

Psychologist: But at the same time it sort of fits with my own suspicions that sukuna is mara. he has his own agency but he exploits and corrupts because of the character's inner evil. we shall see Spooky: What is Mara exactly?? Psychologist: Mara = Satan. something about Buddha sitting under the boddhi tree and when he's about to reach enlightenment, Mara is like "hey what's up dude, but you could have all of these amazing hedonistic pleasures if you hang out with me"

Sukuna is someone who encourages every character to turn their back on enlightenment and live more hedonistically like he does, he scolds Jogo for relying on others instead of just focusing on getting stronger by himself, he quite literally takes control of Yuji and Megumi’s bodies to do evil things (slaughtering people in Shibuya, and now his attempts to kill Tusmiki) and makes them feel physically guilty for allowing him to take their bodies.

The whole purpose of the bath is to be near evil.

So, there you go my idea of what Sukuna is in Jungian Terms. He’s not the shadow of Megumi or Yuji, but the collective shadow of every sorcerer. By being the ideal of sorcerers. He’s not just based on the myth of Ryomen Sukuna, he’s a recurring myth in several different mythologies. He’s not human, he doesn’t want to be human, he’s like a living calamity, the truest curse there is.

#jjk meta #ryomen sukuna #meguimi fushiguro #jjk spoilers #jujutsu kaisen spoilers #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen theory #jujutsu kaisen aanylsis #sukuna #jujutsu kaisen meta

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sharri-byfaith · 1 month

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Carrying Each Other to Jesus: The Power of Faith and Friendship

In the Gospel of Mark, there's a powerful story that illustrates the profound impact of faith and friendship in bringing people to Jesus. It's the account of a paralyzed man whose friends carried him to Jesus, going to extraordinary lengths to ensure he received healing. This narrative not only highlights the importance of persistence in seeking Jesus but also emphasizes the role of genuine friendship in leading others to Him.

The story unfolds with Jesus teaching in a crowded house, drawing eager listeners from far and wide. Among the crowd is a paralyzed man, lying on a mat, unable to move. His condition renders him helpless, unable to reach Jesus on his own. Yet, he has friends who refuse to let his physical limitations deter them from seeking help.

These friends embody the true essence of friendship – selflessness, compassion, and unwavering support. Recognizing the transformative power of Jesus, they are determined to bring their paralyzed friend into His presence, no matter the obstacles they face. With faith as their driving force, they carry their friend on his mat, navigating through the bustling crowd to reach Jesus.

However, upon arriving at the house, they encounter an unexpected challenge. The crowd is so dense that they cannot get near Jesus through the conventional entrance. Undeterred, they refuse to give up. Instead, they devise a bold and unconventional plan – they climb onto the roof, dig through it, and lower their friend down to Jesus.

Their actions demonstrate a profound belief in Jesus' ability to heal and a willingness to do whatever it takes to bring their friend to Him. Their faith is not passive but active, manifested in their determined efforts to overcome obstacles and reach Jesus. It's a powerful testament to the transformative power of friendship rooted in faith.

When Jesus sees their faith, He is moved by their demonstration of love and compassion. He not only heals the paralyzed man but also forgives his sins, illustrating the inseparable connection between physical and spiritual healing. Through their act of faith and friendship, the paralyzed man encounters Jesus in a life-changing way, experiencing both physical restoration and spiritual renewal.

This story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of supporting and uplifting one another in our journey of faith. Just as the paralyzed man's friends carried him to Jesus, we are called to walk alongside our friends, meeting them where they are and guiding them toward the transformative power of Christ's love and grace.

In our own lives, we may encounter friends who are spiritually paralyzed – weighed down by doubt, fear, or brokenness. Like the friends in the Gospel story, let us not hesitate to extend a helping hand, offering love, encouragement, and prayer. Let us be willing to go to great lengths, even if it means breaking through barriers, to lead them back to Jesus.

Ultimately, the story of the paralyzed man and his faithful friends reminds us that true friendship is a reflection of God's unconditional love for us. It's a love that goes beyond words, transcending barriers, and transforming lives. May we, like the friends in this story, embody that love in our relationships, carrying each other to Jesus and experiencing the beauty of His redeeming grace together. - Sharri Van Zyl

19-03-2024

#belief in jesus #bible #byfaith #byfaithchurch #christianity #follow jesus #god #jesus is the only way #jesus loves us #jesusisking #faith in jesus #faith in god #faithinchrist #keep the faith #bible scripture #bible study

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 2 months

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The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

But Jesus answered, “It is written:

‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.”

“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.

When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” And at once they left their nets and followed Him.

Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed—and He healed them.

The large crowds that followed Him came from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. — Matthew 4 | The Reader’s Bible (BRB) The Reader’s Bible © 2020 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. All rights Reserved. Cross References: Exodus 17:2; Exodus 23:25; Exodus 34:28; Numbers 23:3; Deuteronomy 8:3; 1 Chronicles 29:2; Nehemiah 11:1; Psalm 91:11-12; Isaiah 9:1-2; Ezekiel 47:10; Matthew 3:2; Matthew 9:1; Matthew 9:35; Matthew 10:2; Matthew 11:2; Matthew 14:33; Matthew 26:53; Mark 1:12-13; Mark 3:7-8; Mark 10:28; Luke 5:11; 1 Corinthians 10:20

#Jesus #wilderness #temptation #devil #Word of God #spiritual warfare #the first disciples #miracles #healing #sickness #Jesus' ministry begins #Matthew 4 #Gospel of Matthew #New Testament #BRB #The Reader's Bible #Bible Hub #Berean Bible

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momentsbeforemass · 1 year

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Intercessory living

There’s a pattern.

Someone asks Jesus to heal them. Jesus asks them if they believe that He can heal them. They say yes.

Then Jesus heals them because of their faith. Sometimes He even tells them as much.

It’s a pattern we see repeated in just about every healing story. Except today’s Gospel.

Jesus heals. As He always does. Only this time, it’s because of someone else’s faith.

There are four people who can’t get their paralyzed friend through the crowd around Jesus. So they open a hole in the roof. And lower their friend down to Jesus.

And that’s where things break from the pattern. Instead of waiting to be asked, Jesus responds to the faith of – the people who opened a hole in the roof. And heals the man.

Not because the man was a good person. Or because he deserved it. The Gospel doesn’t even tell us that he asked for it.

Jesus heals the man, because his friends asked for it.

Because of their faith, the reason for their actions. Because of their intercessory living.

If you’ve ever wondered what God wants from you, this is it.

God’s not looking for people who always know what to say and what to do. Who never make a mistake. Who always get it right.

God’s not looking for perfect people.

God’s looking for people who have a heart for Him. Who are grounded in prayer, because there’s no other way to have a heart for Him.

Who understand the importance of praying for others, of intercessory prayer.

Who aren’t worried about whether the people they are praying for deserve God’s grace and mercy.

God loves people who are grounded in prayer.

Who aren’t afraid to let their prayers spill over into action.

Whose intercessory prayers overflow. Into intercessory living.

Who aren’t worried about what people will think if they open a hole in the roof.

Today’s Readings

#Intercessory living #Prayer #God #Jesus #Catholic #Christian #Church #Intercessory Prayer #Faith #Healing #Moments Before Mass

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jesuslivingwater · 9 months

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Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic Luke 5:17-26 NKJV

Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.

When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”

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thepastisalreadywritten · 9 months

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SAINT OF THE DAY (July 27)

St. Panteleon, whose feast we celebrate on July 27, is the patron saint of bachelors and physicians.

As lifelong layperson, he was the physician for Emperor Maximinianus.

At one point in his life, he had abandoned his faith, but he eventually returned to the Church. He gave his fortune to the poor, providing them medical treatment without charge.

Some of his cures were accomplished by prayer. Other physicians eventually denounced him to the anti-Christian authorities.

At his trial, he offered a contest between himself and the pagan priests.

He challenged the pagan priests to heal a paralyzed man with their prayers, but they were unable to do so.

Panteleon cured the man by simply mentioning the name of Jesus. As a result, many of those who witnessed the miracle converted to Christianity.

However, the authorities remained resolute in trying to get him to denounce his faith with bribes, threats and torture, but they did not succeed.

He was then nailed to a tree and beheaded in c. 305.

#Saint of the Day #St. Panteleon

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allegraforchrist · 13 days

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WHAT IS FRIENDSHIP AS A CHRISTIAN??

🫂🤍🙏🌷

Friendship (by God’s definition) is: Proverbs 27:9 “Just as Lotions and fragrance gives delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul”

God calls friendships a relationship that is “sweet to the soul”, a pleasure that revitalizes you and energizes you. He makes many emphasis on this throughout the Bible, and shows us the blessings of Godly friendships, and the curses of ungodly ones...

So now I ask you, what kind of friendships do you have.

If you’re afraid that you’ll lose the ‘only’ friends you have when you commit closer to Christ, know that those aren’t your friends. Those are just people who will, inadvertently, pull you away from the Lord, and blunder your steel of faith, integrity, strength, loyalty, and holiness.

• Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

If you’re afraid to share the Gospel with them, or feel you’re ostracized because you don’t ’conform to their beliefs’- that’s not your loss because you gained Christ. Friendships are relationships where purity, trust, love and understanding connects you, and if God is not the foundation and center of it, there will be constant strife- in spiritual, physical and emotional areas where God should be the healer of.

• Psalms 25:14 “Godly Friendships is for God’s worshippers. These are who he confides in.”

You can have friends from different backgrounds and beliefs, as you must love your neighbor and be kind to those who persecute you, or aren’t followers of Christ- be respectful of others and invite them to the Gospel, don’t force feed it- however you need to understand the spiritual parameters you border on, when you do this.

• 1 John 4:7-8: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

The type of insensitivity and tolerance you can build towards non-Godly conversations, and even suggestions on how to handle things that completely turn you away from God, is what you will need to prepare for. You can have disagreements and fights and take offenses, but how those are handled, and the effects it has on you, deeply reflects the spiritual realm, and the covenants you take on that aren’t promised in Christ.

• Jeremiah 9:4: “Be on guard against your friends. Do not trust the members of your own family. Every one of them cheats. Every friend tells lies.”

Following in Christ, is different to being a Disciple in Christ; friends of God or not, you must be patient, be forgiving, be humble, and be loving- “you cannot love Jesus, if you cannot love Judas.” The world loves to emphasize the ‘appreciation’ of difference and individuality, but once it’s mentioned, it’s something to take offense of- don’t be offended or offending because you have a life in Christ and that changes everything.

• Psalm 41:9: “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, has failed me. I even shared my bread with him

Surrounding yourself with God-filled friends, is not only crucial to the Gospel, but to your health, and happiness. A paralyzed man, in the book of Luke 5:17-26, was healed BASED ON HIS FRIEND’S FAITH! It is important who you surround yourself with, because Godly friends can bring anointings and miracles and insights you didn’t know you needed because God saw there was a place in your life he could work someone special in, with his Gifts- and you cannot be afraid to receive that if your only loss is the world.

• Proverbs 18:24 “Friends come and go, but a true friend [of God] sticks by you like family.”

#christianity #christian blog #christian girl #christian #christian faith #christian girly things #christian bible #faith in jesus #christian vent

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madamlaydebug · 1 year

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JESUS WAS THE ORIGINAL OUTLAW

Khalil Gibran had said that twenty centuries ago, men loved the weakness in Jesus and did not understand his power.

Jesus did not live as a coward and did not die complaining and suffering.

HE LIVED AS A REVOLUTIONARY AND WAS CRUCIFIED AS A REBEL.

“He was not a bird with broken wings, but a violent storm.”

“He was not a victim of his persecutors and had not suffered at the hands of his executioners – he was free before all.”

“He came to awaken a new and strong soul, which made every heart a temple, an altar, and every human being a priest.”

RESURRECT yourself from religious dogma.

There is something HIGHER!

Looking carefully at his life, we see that, although he knew that his passion was inevitable, he tried to give us a sense of joy in every gesture.

He must have thought long and hard before deciding what his first miracle should be.

He must have considered the healing of a paralyzed man, the resurrection of the dead, the expulsion of a demon, something that his contemporaries would have considered as “noble”.

After all, it would be the first time to show the world that he had come as the Son of God.

"Jesus was not some nice, neatly shaven white guy who carried a baby lamb in his arms, picking daisies, patting children on the head and spouting off sappy stories about kittens and butterflies.

Jesus raised hell against the religious establishment and his life was a revolt against the institutional powers of his day that sought to dominate, control, oppress, exploit, shame and divide people.

Whether in the name of God or Caesar, Jesus would have none of it. His love was fierce, tenacious, courageous, unyielding, gutsy, and unflinching.

JESUS STOOD FOR THE INHERENT AND EQUAL WORTH OF EVERY HUMAN BEING.

He denounced the religious lie that humankind was separated from God.

Jesus told people to find heaven within themselves.

He proclaimed another world was possible.

He chastised people for sitting around waiting on 'God' to save the world and told them to wake up and save themselves.

Jesus rebuked people who tried to make a religion out of him, and challenged people to live with the same courage, conviction and resolve that he did.

He said the hope of the world was not a deity somewhere up in the sky, but a power and authority contained in the human spirit."

Jim Palmer, "Inner Anarchy"

May the wisdom of this gesture inspire us, and be always present in our souls: the spiritual quest is compassion, enthusiasm and joy too.

@everyone

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myremnantarmy · 5 months

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𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥

Monday of the Second Week of Advent

Lk 5:17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching,

Pharisees and teachers of the law,

who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem,

were sitting there,

and the power of the Lord was with him for healing.

And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed;

they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence.

But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd,

they went up on the roof

and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles

into the middle in front of Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said,

"As for you, your sins are forgiven."

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves,

"Who is this who speaks blasphemies?

Who but God alone can forgive sins?"

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply,

"What are you thinking in your hearts?

Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,'

or to say, 'Rise and walk'?

But that you may know

that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"–

he said to the one who was paralyzed,

"I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."

He stood up immediately before them,

picked up what he had been lying on,

and went home, glorifying God.

Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God,

and, struck with awe, they said,

"We have seen incredible things today."

#jesus #catholic #my remnant army #jesus christ #virgin mary #faithoverfear #saints #jesusisgod #endtimes #artwork #Jesus is coming #word of God #Bible #biblevisuals #bible verse #bibleverse #come holy spirit

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frmartinshomiliesandreflections · 11 months

Photo

3rd June >> Fr. Martin’s Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Mark 11:27-33 for Saturday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: ‘Who gave you authority to do these things?’.

Saturday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel (Except USA)

Mark 11:27-33

I will not tell you my authority for acting like this.

Jesus and his disciples came to Jerusalem, and as Jesus was walking in the Temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? Or who gave you authority to do these things?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will ask you a question, only one; answer me and I will tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism: did it come from heaven, or from man? Answer me that.’ And they argued it out this way among themselves: ‘If we say from heaven, he will say, “Then why did you refuse to believe him?” But dare we say from man?’ – they had the people to fear, for everyone held that John was a real prophet. So their reply to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.’

Gospel (USA)

Mark 11:27-33

By what authority are you doing these things?

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”– they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Reflections (7)

(i) Saturday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

The question of authority is always a lively one. Who has authority? How is it exercised? Where is it exercised? The gospels suggest that the issue of authority was a controversial one in relation to Jesus. On one occasion when Jesus declared to a paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven, the religious leaders asked, ‘Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Jesus went on to declare that the Son of Man had authority on earth to forgive sins, and to show this authority he healed the paralyzed man. In today’s gospel reading, the religious authorities ask Jesus, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? Or who gave you authority to do these things?’ Jesus had just caused mayhem in the Temple area, driving out those who were buying and selling and overturning the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. The second question that Jesus was asked on this occasion is the crucial one, ‘Who gave you authority to do these things?’ We all know the answer to that question. God gave Jesus the authority to do what he was doing. Jesus is God’s authoritative presence. A little before today’s gospel reading in Mark, Jesus had defined authority in terms of service. ‘Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant’. Jesus’ authority was always in the service of others; he always used it to promote human wellbeing at every level. It is the authority of self-emptying love. This is the kind of authority that Jesus wishes to share with us all. He sends us out in the power of the Spirit to be his authoritative presence in the world, displaying the power of a love that promotes the wellbeing of all human life, all created life.

And/Or

(ii) Saturday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

The question of authority is always a contentious one. Who has it? How is it exercised? How is it acquired? How can those in authority be made accountable? We are constantly dealing with these kinds of questions in a whole variety of contexts. The question of authority is a very live one in today’s gospel reading. Jesus has just driven out those buying and selling in the Temple area and has upset the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling pigeons. Not surprisingly, those who believed they had authority in the Temple area ask Jesus, ‘What authority have you for acting like this?’ Their question implies that he has taken to himself an authority he doesn’t have; he has overreached himself. The second question they asked Jesus, ‘Who gave you authority to do these things?’ suggests the answer to the first question. It was God who gave Jesus his authority and that he why he acted as he did in the Temple. The Temple was his Father’s house and he had much greater authority in that house that the so-called Temple authorities. Jesus did not answer either question of the Temple authorities because their hearts were closed to him. As Jesus’ own question to them revealed, they had even been closed to the ministry of John the Baptist, refusing to acknowledge it was from heaven. As Christians, we believe that the ultimate authority in our lives is Jesus and the God whom he reveals. Every other authority in our lives is secondary. Jesus alone is Lord of our lives and we seek to take our lead from him. We also believe that his authority over us is ultimately a liberating authority; in submitting to his lordship we will come to experience what Saint Paul calls the ‘glorious freedom of the children of God’.

And/Or

(iii) Saturday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

After Jesus had entered the Temple in Jerusalem and drove out those who were selling and buying there, the religious leaders of the time approached Jesus and asked him, ‘Who gave you authority to do these things?’ It was a good question, but they would not have been open to the answer that Jesus could have given them. Jesus did what he did on God’s authority; he said what he said on God’s authority. It was God who was acting and speaking through Jesus. Because the religious leaders could not have accepted this, Jesus did not answer their question. Instead, he asked them a question of his own, ‘John’s baptism, did it come from heaven or from earth?’ In other words, ‘Was John’s authority for acting human or divine?’ The correct answer to that question was that John’s authority was from heaven; it was divine. He was authorized by God to prepare the way for the Lord. Yet, John pointed to Jesus as the more powerful one, as the more authoritative one. That is why we venerate John, but we worship Jesus. We take Jesus as our supreme authority, as our Lord. We rejoice to have such an authority figure, one who not only shows us the way but empowers us to take that way through the gift of his Spirit.

And/Or

(iv) Saturday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

This morning’s gospel reading is set just after Jesus cleansed the temple. It was a very daring thing to do. There were people in charge of the temple. Jesus certainly had not been authorized by them to do what he did. The question of the religious authorities who were responsible for the temple that they address to Jesus is very understandable, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? Who gave you this authority? This happened towards the end of Jesus’ public ministry. At the very beginning of his ministry, according to Mark, the ordinary people of Galilee were struck by the authority with which Jesus spoke and acted. Far from being disturbed by Jesus’ authority, as the religious leaders were, they were greatly impressed by it. They were all amazed, Mark tells us, and kept asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching, with authority’. Jesus spoke and acted with the authority of God. For those who had eyes to see and ears to hear, it was a liberating authority. We all need an authority of some sort as a reference point in life. The real issue is who or what will we take as our authority. The gospels assure is that Jesus embodies the authentic authority of God, an authority that empowers us to become fully human and fully alive.

And/Or

(v) Saturday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus was a person of great authority. He derived his authority from his special relationship with God. He recognized the Temple in Jerusalem as his Father’s house and that gave him the authority to cleanse the Temple, disturbing the money changers and those selling pigeons. Because of what he did there, the religious leaders in this morning’s gospel reading come up to him and ask him, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? Who gave you this authority?’ We know the answer to that question. Jesus had the authority to do what he did because he was God’s Son and God was at work in and through him. That is why we take Jesus as our authority today. We recognize him as Lord of our lives. We take our lead from him. We invite him to shape our lives, to direct what we say and do. We invite his Spirit into our lives and try to open ourselves to the promptings of his Spirit. The Lord is our authority and we know that his is a life-giving authority, an authority that sets us free from sin. Earlier in Mark’s gospel Jesus said he had authority on earth to forgive sins. We gladly submit to the Lord’s authority because it is an authority that renews us, heals us and will eventually lead us to eternal life.

And/Or

(vi) Saturday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Yesterday’s gospel reading was Mark’s account of Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem. It was a daring and provocative action which could not but antagonize those who were responsible for overseeing what went on in the Temple, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders. In today’s gospel reading, this group confronts Jesus and asks him what authority he had for acting the way he did. Generally, when a question is put to Jesus in the gospels he answers it. On this occasion, however, he refused to answer the question of the chief priests, scribes and elders. Jesus recognized that their question was not a genuine search for truth. They had already closed their hearts to Jesus, just as they had earlier closed their hearts to John the Baptist. We, the readers of Mark’s gospel, know the answer to the question that was put to Jesus. Jesus derived his authority from his relationship to God. He was the earthly representative of God, the beloved Son of God, the one in and through whom God was acting and speaking. Jesus is the authority of God made visible. The word ‘authority’ can have negative connotations today. Jesus’ authority is ultimately a life-giving power that works to bring God’s good purpose for humanity and all of creation to pass. That is why we can submit to Jesus’ authority over us with joy, trust and thanksgiving.

And/Or

(vii) Saturday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

The question of authority is always a lively one. Who has authority? How is it exercised? Where is it exercised? The gospels suggest that the issue of authority was a controversial one in relation to Jesus. On one occasion when Jesus declared to a paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven, the religious leaders asked, ‘Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Jesus went on to declare that the Son of Man had authority on earth to forgive sins, and to show this authority he healed the paralyzed man. In today’s gospel reading, the religious authorities ask Jesus, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? Or who gave you authority to do these things?’ Jesus had just caused mayhem in the Temple area, driving out those who were buying and selling and overturning the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. The second question that Jesus was asked on this occasion is the crucial one, ‘Who gave you authority to do these things?’ We all know the answer to that question. God gave Jesus the authority to do what he was doing. Jesus is God’s authoritative presence. A little before this morning’s gospel reading in Mark, Jesus had defined authority in terms of service. ‘Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant’. Jesus’ authority was always in the service of others; he always used it to promote human well being at every level. It is the authority of self-emptying love. This is the kind of authority that Jesus wishes to share with us all. He sends us out in the power of the Spirit to be his authoritative presence in the world, displaying the power of a love that promotes the well being of all human life.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

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lunaraindrop · 2 years

Text

Quentin stumbled as he dropped out of The Underworld's portal.

Trying his best to step carefully and not trip, he took in the red flashes of lightning.

"Jesus, this is some spooky shit."

---

*Before*

As soon as he passed through the door that would have taken him to the Afterlife, he had been immediately pushed right back out by Hades himself.

Taking him back to Penny's office, Hades had given Q a Library book.

"Read this, and tell me what you think."

For seemed like both hours and minutes, Quentin perched different way, completely enthralled in this book.

This boy turned man's life, full of strife, struggle, and heartache, blossoming into one of the best, romantic, fun-filled lives he had ever seen. Found family, finding his soul mate, living happily into old age.

Despite him being a fantasy nerd like himself, so many things about this guy wistfully reminded Q of Eliot.

After reading, he closed the book with a sense of melancholy.

He was dead, now. He got to live a full, beautiful life with Eliot and their son, but he could never have that again. Unlike the guy in this book, who adopted five children with his husband, and ran a music store.

When Hades returned, Quentin held the book out.

"Umm, so, I finished reading? It was nice, but I'm not sure why you had me read it in the first place. Is there some-uh-lesson, or-or metaphor I am missing?"

Then Hades explained. Something happened that wasn't supposed to. The poor guy, who was promised a happy ending in his life's book, was cut short unexpectedly. He died young, in the arms of a friend.

"He tried to be brave, and sacrificed himself to save his friends."

Oh yeah. Shit. This was a metaphor.

Pushing that aside, Q got increasingly upset for the guy he just read about. Quentin did always connect with book characters.

"Wait, he died? How can that be? He's supposed to live into his 80's. He and his husband are supposed to be one of the first gay couples to get married in their state. They made history!"

"As it stands, Quentin Coldwater, unless there is intervention, he will be dead and stay dead."

"But that's not right!"

Hades actually smiled.

"Such conviction, for a man you don't know."

But Q did know. He had read his whole life's story. Despite never meeting him, he felt like a close friend.

"Perhaps something can be done."

---

Walking the squishy, disgusting earth, Quentin carefully searched the landscape around him.

The "thing that could be done" was to send Quentin back, alive and with his magic, to save the boy himself. Something about "righting two wrongs".

But if he failed...

If he failed, they were both dead. For good.

Quentin was still overwhelmed with the idea that he was alive again, and could just as easily die in this place without finding his charge.

He passed a trailer, and found someone on the ground in the distance.

Going down on his knees, he avoided the bodies of hundreds of...what looked like demon bats on steroids.

He knew what these were. They had been what crawled deep in the caves of the Forgetten Mountain in Fillory and Further. Juliet bats, Jane had called them, because their venom made a person appear dead, when in reality it paralyzed the victim.

Feeling for a pulse, Quentin sighed in relief when he felt a faint one.

He looked dead, but he was still alive.

Barely.

Leaning over his face, Quentin started talking as he prepared to heal him as best as he could.

"Umm, hi! You don't know me, but my name is Quentin. I'm a... wait, you're a Dungeon Master! Okay, okay, so, uh, I have been sent to be your, ah, Cleric. I'm going to get us out of here so you can get you diploma and kiss Steve Harrington, okay?"

Eddie, who couldn't move, somehow managed to widen his eyes.

Holding his hands in front of him, Quentin winced.

"Sorry, spoilers. You'll get to that."

Remembering how he learned to use his, at the time, unknown discipline to heal Teddy's scrapes and boo boos, Quentin concentrated on mending the wounds.

While he did not heal him completely, he did managed to expell the venom and help the wounds not be as severe.

Wiping his brow, he offered the bemused man below him a hand.

"So, Eddie, right? How the fuck do we get out of here?"

#quentin coldwater #eddie munson #steddie #queliot #the magicians #stranger things #wtf did i just write #wtf luna #peaches and plums motherfucker

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momentsbeforemass · 1 year

Text

Don’t stop short

In today’s Gospel, there’s a paralyzed man who’s trying to get to Jesus. So he can be healed.

He’s already blessed. Because he’s got four friends who are carrying him to Jesus. He wasn’t going to get anywhere without their help.

But the crowd is so big, that they can’t get him anywhere near Jesus.

You know they’re real friends because of what they did next. They didn’t say to him, “There’s just too many people. I’m so sorry. Maybe next time.”

Not these guys. They don’t stop short. They keep trying. And end up doing something totally unexpected.

They go up on the roof of the house Jesus is in. Start taking off the roof tiles until they’ve got hole big enough. Then lower the man down to Jesus.

I don’t know what’s better about this. Their “I-don’t-think-so-you-are-getting-to-Jesus-now” attitude. Or seeing Jesus’ complete joy at their unstoppable determination to help their friend.

We’ve all got someone like that in our lives. Someone who’s stuck. Maybe they’re dealing with a physical problem. Or an illness. Or an addiction. Or a job loss. Maybe it’s something else.

Whatever it is, what they’re dealing with has gotten big. Big enough to come between them and Jesus. And they’re stuck.

They’re not going anywhere without help.

If you know someone who’s stuck like that, don’t just shake your head and give an excuse. “I’m so sorry. Maybe next time.”

If God has put it in your heart to help someone, do it. Don’t stop short. Keep trying. Even if it means doing something totally unexpected.

Today’s Readings

#Don't Stop #Helping People #God #Jesus #Catholic #Christian #Church #God's Love #Stuck #Moments Before Mass

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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 5 months

Text

11th December >> Mass Readings (USA)

Monday, Second Week of Advent

Pope Saint Damasus I.

Monday, Second Week of Advent

(Liturgical Colour: Violet: B (2))

First Reading Isaiah 35:1-10 God himself will come and save you.

The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water; The abode where jackals lurk will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus. A highway will be there, called the holy way; No one unclean may pass over it, nor fools go astray on it. No lion will be there, nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it. It is for those with a journey to make, and on it the redeemed will walk. Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; They will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14

R/ Our God will come to save us!

I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land.

R/ Our God will come to save us!

Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.

R/ Our God will come to save us!

The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps.

R/ Our God will come to save us!

Gospel Acclamation cf. Habakkuk 2:3; 1 Cor 4:5

Alleluia, alleluia. Behold the king will come, the Lord of the earth, and he himself will lift the yoke of our captivity. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 5:17-26 We have seen incredible things today.

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.”

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

----------------------------

Pope Saint Damasus I

(Liturgical Colour: White: B (2))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 20:17-18a, 28-32, 36 Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church of God.

From Miletus Paul had the presbyters of the Church at Ephesus summoned. When they came to him, he addressed them, “Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church of God that he acquired with his own Blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated.” When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4