POINTING TO THE MOON

Signs point to a destination, indicate how far, the name and needed information. They are not the destination. The sign cannot become more important than the destination or we constantly live in ‘one of these days’ type thinking. Too much of religion is based on the future and not the now, too much ’one of these days.’

“The Sufi tell of disciples who, when the death of their master was clearly imminent, became totally bereft. “If you leave us, Master,” they pleaded, “how will we know what to do?” And the master replied, “I am nothing but a finger pointing at the moon. Perhaps when I am gone you will see the moon.” The meaning is clear: It is God that religion must be about, not itself. When religion makes itself God, it ceases to be religion.” Joan Chittister

Time spent on the destination, that is, intimacy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and less time on religion that merely points in that direction, gives us a good chance to also “see the moon.”

“He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” Jesus