Minister’s Minute

Dear Ones,

At its deepest most basic level, Christianity - or any spiritual path, for that matter - is much more than what we ourselves put into it, and far beyond the benefits we will receive.  In fact, Christianity is the realization of the wholeness - the holiness of life - in all its aspects.  It’s not just the pure “spiritual” part of life: it’s the whole thing.  It’s flowers, mountains, rivers streams, all kinds of animals, the troubled inner cities, homeless children, and folks with AIDS.

Christianity is life - our life, and through it we come to the realization that all things, events, places, and people have meaning and purpose in our lives.  It is knowing that to live fully as followers of Jesus, to be on this spiritual path, is to embrace all of God’s creation, and to love it with all our hearts - without limits.

There are many metaphors for such a life.  But the one I have found to be most meaningful comes from the kitchen.  Zen masters call a life that is lived fully and completely, with nothing held back, “the supreme meal.”  And a person who lives such a life - a person who knows how to plan, cook, appreciate, serve, and offer the supreme meal of life - is called a Zen cook.

The position of the cook is one of the highest and most important

in a Zen monastery.  It is the cook’s duty to make the most sumptuous meal possible out of whatever ingredients are available even if he has only rice and water.  The Zen cook uses what he has rather than complain, or make excuses, about all the things lacking to make a perfect meal.

In the 13^th century, the Zen master Dogen, wrote a book entitled Instructions to the Cook.  On one level, Dogen’s instructions are about the proper way to prepare and serve meals for the monks.  On another level, it is about the “supreme meal”, our own life, which is both the greatest gift we can receive, and the greatest offering we can make.

For followers of Jesus, this “supreme meal” comes from the recipe that Jesus offered in the example of his own life.  Love, he said, is the main ingredient in every moment.  Add into the mix a huge helping of generosity both of material wealth, and spirit, patience, forgiveness, and hope.  Fold in reconciliation, simmer gently with faith, and stir in a handful of compassion, acceptance, invitation, and justice.  Don’t forget to add a generous portion of service to others, (it makes the whole recipe stick together). 

(Continued on page 5)