Monthly Archives: November 2025

“Meno.”

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I have found great joy in reading the gospel each morning in three different versions, emailed to me overnight. Each provides one with some key insights to ponder for the day to come and really gets those creative juices flowing. As you can probably tell. Presenting me with words I was kind of aware of, thought I understood, but really did not know from Adam.

Sorry. Helps sustain my humerous daddus affliction. But I digress…

This morning in the first reading  of 1 Maccabees 2:15-29, there was a retelling of the enforcement of a king’s apostasy and Mattathias’ reaction.

Akin to the mother and her seven sons and how they chose the after life in lieu of an affirmation of not only a false prophet but false view of life.

I went back to “apostasy” and discovered the origins, the Greek word “apostasia” meaning “defection, rebellion or abandonment”. Recalling my fondness for Etymology class with Mr. Paris in high school back in the 70’s, I went a little deeper. Who knew today would start with some archeology.

“Apostasia” is formed from a prefix “apo” meaning “away from” and the verb “histemi” meaning “to stand”. “Thus, the literal meaning is to stand away from”. 

Since this was first written long, long ago it has taken on a variety of meanings each of which are related to discarding ones faith. At this moment of of my personal reclamation project, however, I prefer to apply it from its original, literal meaning.

“To stand away from”.

My apostasia involves standing away from the ill conceived habits and thoughts that took me away from my true self. Beholding the notion that I had all of the answers and that I could do everything for everybody. Equipped with the double edged sword that is ego, I wounded humility for the sake of pride. All of which simply made me an island, surrounded by an ocean that ebbed with low self esteem and flowed with no forgiveness.

But as I have increasingly sacrificed the tenets of a choices poorly made and a life ill lived, a true fellowship beckons. One that called to the mother and seven sons. One that touched Mattathias and the multitudes of those that have followed. Removing me from a self-designed poverty and enriching me with an altogether serene and peaceful wholeness.

You may not realize it at first, but when you simply let go and stand away from what you were, you can genuinely become what you are meant to be.

My “apostasia” began with moving away from being alone as self-induced outcast. It has since evolved into allowing Him in and truly living.

“Meno”.

With him.

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Today’s reflection shared a story of a mother and her seven sons from the book of 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31. They were being tormented, tortured and murdered by Antiochus, one by one, one in front of the other, because they would not give themselves up to what he said they needed to be. Despite his vain offers of false glory, prestige, standing and power, to a person they deferred and accepted their end on earth so that they may live on in eternity.

I don’t think it is so much that I am looking for new meanings in things I hear or read. After spending much of my life headed in my direction, because I wanted to, of course because I am right and the rest of you can deal with it, let’s just say that my commanding, know it all inner Antiochus voice now has some truly loving company. Offering a more compelling way of living out my days.

When you hear things in that tone and tenor, it is like taking a deep breath, taking a step back, removing the “life vision goggles” and experiencing the moment as it truly is.

Wonderful.

That is, wonder-full.

The voice of Antiochus that had ruled my way of being and was intent on doing so for the rest of it has faded into the noise of the background. Another, that had been patiently waiting in the wings has resonated in my soul and spirit, in a symphony of love and understanding. It is that voice I now hear. One that has overcome the cacophony of selfishness, ego and self-righteousness.

So you can never really know when something totally life changing will occur. The latest one for me was today at about 7:29 AM, in the kitchen, watching the sun come up. With any luck, maybe there will be a return engagement later this morning, afternoon or tonight when the stars come out.

The Antiochus’ in your life may seem to be all powerful. But they consist of the things you really need not possess to fully live.

Tell him “no thank you”.

Embrace His voice.

Move towards life.

With Him.

And with Him.

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“The greatness of the man’s power is the measure of his surrender.”

― William Booth

Being that William, an English Methodist preacher, along with his wife Catherine founded the Salvation Army, I would contend that “power” in this context  aligns in part with Merriam & Webster: “the ability to act or produce an effect; specifically : an ability that seems extraordinary or superhuman.” Think about what they together created and shared with the world.  

Yet I suspect that Mr. Booth and his wife were touched more by the power of the Holy Spirit, choosing to pursue  a godly life, embracing and enduring hardship, and performing selfless acts of service, wonder and love.  

That is the power that can only be discovered in surrender.  Full out. Though at first it may feel like all you can do is dip your toe in it, there is nothing but merit to be realized once you just jump in.  

If you think about it, more often than not, in a sense, you have already sunk.  There is not much of an existence to be had living on the bottom.  Being fully surrendered brings you up, back to the top, ready to be in the light and live as you were meant to live. 

Salvation as it were.  

Part of a loving army of men and women pursuing a godly life, embracing and enduring hardship and performing selfless acts of service, wonder and love. 

As an enlistment with the Booth’s cause.  

And with Him.

Surrendered

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I think I have shared this revelation twice or thrice before, but throughout this ongoing process of reclamation, words and the timing thereof have taken on an entirely different contextual sense and assume an unexpected mass. 

Whether it be the things I read, the thoughts I hear, conversations shared or the unanticipated  moments alone, words of late have brought about a compellingly different way of being. Filters in place for ages are being amended or altered altogether.  Their resonance has taken on an entirely new timbre. 

Like this. 

“Surrender”.  

Not so much any more the verb  exclusively defining it as the act of giving up, accepting embarrassing defeat, losing. But rather, surrender as a patient, knowing and faith filled embrace that is determined to free oneself of control, rationalization and ego. Along with it, comes letting go of  fear, anxiety and the unknown.  Not to say in any sense that surrender is item #5 on your “to do” list, or what you have planned for the weekend now that the kids are away.  

Surrender is the centerpiece of metanoia.  A transformative change in body, heart, mind and soul. It can approach you from a variety of paths.  The realization that old habits are no longer affirming.  That occupation is more about consumption of time, effort and maintenance than true purpose.  And a sense that you diverged from being that man or woman you once thought you were. 

Las night, I then came across this one. 

“Surrendered.”  

As shared in a thought by Rick Warren, it isn’t an act but an outcome. Coming  across more so as a noun, something you choose to become, learn to know  and live by and as.  Though you may have acted to surrender before, the way he now employs it acts to  define not just  what and who you are. But how you got there.  

“You also know you’re surrendered when you don’t react to criticism and rush to defend yourself. Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You don’t edge others out, you don’t demand your rights, and you aren’t self-serving when you’re surrendered.”

Being held captive by the critics, external and internal, can become confining and isolating. You devolve into what they espouse you should be. A part of the herd.

When you make yourself first and foremost around others, then what is the point?  Assuming that throne does nothing to establish a nurturing, loving connection for anyone involved. How can they possibly wedge themselves into your protective ego-aura? 

His last sentence simply captures it all. 

One action, surrender, is what it takes so you can just “be”. 

Surrendered.

The hope of healing.

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“Other people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts.”
― Rick Warren


If you think of it, a healing process of this level has a great many stages, levels and appearances. In certain respects, we are all wounded in some way, shape or form. Moments with others that happen to intersect at various points along the path towards healing. The start. The middle. Close to the finish.

How Mr. Warren depicts this level of interaction lifts our wounds from being an acknowledged infirmity to an empowering affirmity. For both.

Affirming in the sense that you are able to genuinely convey your anguish to share an arduous, ongoing recuperative journey with another. Reinforcing their efforts in a continuous pursuit of recovery while confirming the impetus of your own.

The fact that you can help them and yourself in concert carries with it a sense of the divine. A true fellowship centered on openness, trust, humility and love. Love for them. And ultimately, for yourself.

It was St. Thomas of Assissi that once said, ““The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today.” Though you may deliver one to help them mend, your sharing it provides the sustenance needed for your ongoing healing as well.

We all share one thing in common; the wounds of life.

So let us too share what enables us to live.

The hope of healing.