MONDAY, October 12 Columbus Day (U.S.) Thanksgiving Day (Canada)

Matthew 10:5-15. As you go, proclaim the good news, "The kingdom of heaven has come near." Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

The greatest discoveries often come when brave souls venture into uncharted territory. As the saying goes, "The greatest explorers had no maps."

Jesus told his followers that "the kingdom of heaven has come near," describing not geography, but holiness. No map existed to tell the world what would happen when love rules. To find eternity, we have to discard the maps of our world, the maps that say that self-interest, domination, and winning rule the day. Any person--of Jesus' time or any other--who chooses to ignore those maps ventures into eternity, not just at the end of life, but in the moment.

The kingdom of heaven is near, but no human map will guide us there. Only by loving one another can we find that place where the eternal intersects the present. It's not a destination familiar to most of us, but it is the only journey that matters. It is not just a great exploration; it is the great exploration.

And the greatest explorations have no maps.

PRAY for the Diocese of Tasmania (Extra-Provincial to Australia)

Ps 1, 2, 3 * 4, 7; Jeremiah 36:11-26; 1 Corinthians 13:(1-3)4-13

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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eternal Maps

Oct 12, 2009 at 5:39 am

Written by mwk,

Thank you for this wonderful meditation. The emphasis that the kingdom of heaven is not a place but a journey."To find eternity we have to discard the maps of our world- self interest, domination and winning.."
Only by loving one another can we find the place where the Eternal intersects the present." Powerful words. Thank you.

No Maps

Oct 12, 2009 at 7:14 am

Written by Cindy,

I really like the idea that 'the greatest explorations have no maps." I love to charge forward with an idea, or when someone is in need, even if we aren't sure how it will all turn out. I admire all the folks that use maps and those who come after me to settle things. Still, I feel that God gave me a spirit of exploration, and it's nice to think of that rather than the impression that I'm just impulsive.

consequences of exploration

Oct 12, 2009 at 8:36 am

Written by Andrea,

Today, on Columbus Day, we should also remember that a "spirit of exploration" can sometimes turn into a "spirit of exploitation." Millions of indigenous native people died because of white explorers who "discovered" North America, and more lost their culture and heritage. I understand that spiritual exploration, as defined by today's writer, means leaving being these "maps" of domination and oppression - but I think we all need to recognize that exploration often comes with a price.

another side of that story

Oct 12, 2009 at 10:49 pm

Written by Tom,

From where do your numbers come? How many innocent explorers were killed by the natives? The settlers did not come here to kill anyone. They came to find a better life. They would never have cut off a scalp or a head. There are 2 sides to every story and every situation. Just remember that God is good and that God is still in control -- always has been and always will until the very end.

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