Sophian.org

[Phillip]

A long time ago, back when I was in the second or third grade, a little black boy enrolled in our school. He was the only black boy at our school, so he really stood out. I hung out with a couple of rough, beaten down kids, who nobody wanted to play with, but I did because nobody wanted to play with me. I guess I was quiet and shy, and probably a little weird. Anyway, these kids used to pick on me all the time, I mean every day, every recess. We’d go back behind the bushes somewhere and they’d twist my arm or twist my fingers back to get me to cry "mercy" or some other such nonsense. Sometimes we’d play on the monkey bars or play tag, but mostly I remember the torture. I guess it was strange of me to follow them around all the time, but since I didn’t have anyone else to play with, they were my friends by default.

On the day this kid came to school, though, we decided to do something different. Michael Mahoney wanted to go pick on the new black kid, and I went along because I pretty much followed him everywhere. I’m pretty sure he said some horrible things, and I remember feeling bad for the kid, because I'd been in his shoes only a day before. But I also remember something else, and I remember it very profoundly, because it was new to me. I felt safe.

As long as Mike Mahoney and the others were picking on this little black kid, they weren’t picking on me. It felt good, and I remember that I really liked it, not because the other little boy was suffering, but because I wasn’t. Immediately afterward, though, I felt guilty, and scared again, and I ran back to apologize to the boy. He wouldn’t have any of it, and who can blame him? It probably looked like a set up.

I only bring up that story because I think it speaks the truth of our persecution complex as human beings. I think that’s what was going on in the minds of the people who taunted Jesus on the cross, in the minds of the Pharases who put him up there, and on those who watched and did nothing. It still goes on today.

Today we’re persecuting Martha Stewart who was our consumerism Ave Maria only a few months ago, and now we’re ready to tear her to shreds. I wouldn’t place Martha Stewart in the same category of Jesus, I only use her because she's the most immediate example.

The complex in us that is so compelled to persecute people, to watch every detail of their fall, to judge them, attack them, gossip about them, seems all too similar to the complex that put Jesus on the cross.

The fact is, as long as someone else is being crucified, we aren’t. Every time I’ve found myself at work gossiping about someone else’s screw up, the main reason that I joined in was because I was scared of being persecuted and wanted to feel safe.

"Love your neighbor as yourself…" Christ says. Why? Because we are our neighbor, and our neighbor is us. "Love your enemies..." Why? Same reason! We think that we’re safe, hiding behind the persecution of others, but that only feeds the same persecution monster that hungrily pursues us later. This persecution Behemoth doesn’t discriminate; it has no loyalty! It’s a beast of the field that eats when it’s hungry. If you’re there, and present an easy target - dinner time! Christ’s message is asking us to move beyond this dynamic, beyond herd consciousness, beyond the blame game. This small shift may seem insignificant however, in contemplating the crucifixion, it may be an important aspect of a movement out of herd consciousness and into Christ consciousness.

It’s easy to say, but hard to do. Feeling safe is a strong impulse in us. Gossip, back-biting and verbal attack are so acceptable in our culture that it may be a hard habit to change. But what if it were us up there on that gossip cross? Isn’t it our fear of that very thing that impels us to join in? Don’t we engage simply because we’re happy that it isn’t us? And if that’s true, why don’t we notice that and step away, just for once, just for a change, and see what happens?

I think my opening story demonstrates that I can't propose this from a judgemental perspective. But maybe it's something to think about.

Shalom
phillip

[Rebekah]

Shalom Phillip,

I deeply appreciate the honesty and genuineness of your post. It brings to mind Matthew 25:40 "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." And aren't we, in fact, doing the same to ourselves?

Blessings,
Rebekah

[Tau Malachi]

Greetings!

Like Rebekah, I must say I find the openness and honesty of your post delightful. From Rebekah's post an interesting question arises from a Gnostic perspective: In such moments, what kind of spiritual forces are we invoking and linking ourselves with? This is a question I've learned to ask with any form of negativity that arises, gross or subtle, and it proves interesting to observe with the silent witness.

Your current example with Martha Stewart is a perfect - she has been on my mind for the very same reason; an invocation of giving and receiving for all who are persecuted, whether having commited an error or not. Given the meaning of the crucifixion, however, as a rite of ransom, it seems those who have commited an error might even be in more need of invisible assistance, for fewer will consider their need.

With your example, of course, the idea also comes to mind exactly what we tend to celebrate and worship in our culture - sports stars, movie stars, music stars, the rich and famous, and so on. It is a very strange religion, and even more so when these gods or goddesses fall out of our favor!

Blessings & shalom!
_________________
Tau Malachi
Sophia Fellowship
Ecclesia Pistis Sophia

[Zhaphyr55]

I have learned the ego-illusion likes to reverse this as well, causing internal pain and self-righteousness at perceived harm caused by others. The concept of being the wronged person is a twist that cannot be completely ignored when exploring crucifixion. I have experienced this delusion in the past and have worked long to avoid this state in my own mind. I realize martyrdom is a form of judgement against other people and blocks the flow of light and thus gnosis. It is a deceptive trap I do not desire after watching the inability of others to make their long desired connection to God/Light Contiuum unto death or just before, yet I learned to play the role of the martyr from my Father and his relatives. It has been very hard to unlearn and open my mind to my own responsibilities in the consequences that befall me. The trick is not to fall too far to the otherside and blame denegrade myself in the process for this too is a judgement trap of the ego-illusion. Either way this form of crucifixion makes me useless to myself and others/the light continuum. Experiencing this as well and experiencing turning loose of this practice has taught me much and I am still learning the flow of light and dark in this.
_________________
Jacquie

[Phillip]

A very insightful reflection Zhaphyr, thank you!

Shalom
Phillip