I use tarot and oracle cards as tools for reflection and contemplation. Rather than divining the future, they are a way for me to look more deeply at the "now."
"The goal isn't to arrive, but to meander, to saunter, to make your life a holy wandering." ~ Rami Shapiro

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Lawyers and Samaritans

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Knight (King) of Disks; from the Master Tarot, the Neighbor:
          From the spiral of coins and cogs coming from his head and the bills around his face, it's easy to see what this King is about. The companion book describes him as having an uncompromising pursuit of his own interests, both hard-working and tenacious. His Thoth title is Lord of the Wide and Fertile Land, and like the earth, he is a provider of life. Though he provides the harvest, he is also known as the healer - of body and land (note his headband). I'm sure he knows about crop-rotation, cover crops and compost to keep the soil healthy. He sounds like a decent ruler, but does he care anything about people who are outside his realm? Likewise in our global world today, is it necessary to care about people in another country? What if these people don't look like me or have the same beliefs I do? The Neighbor shows up from the Good Samaritan story in Luke to provide an answer. A lawyer, who was trying to weasel out of helping everyone, asked Jesus to define exactly who his neighbor was. Most readers would say the story defines anyone who needs our help as a neighbor, but Jesus ends the story with a twist. He says the Samaritan who helped the wounded man proved to be the good neighbor. In other words, quit trying to figure out if you're morally obligated to give aid and just offer it if you can.

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9 comments:

  1. Carolyn TindorSeptember 20, 2016 at 9:31 AM

    It is always a challenge. We are constantly bombarded to give, give, give. What really bugs me is if you do donate and they have your address, your donation just turns into mailers for two years to give more and they sell your information to other 'charities' who also hound you.

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    1. thesycamoretreeSeptember 20, 2016 at 9:53 AM

      But I think there are more ways to give than just money - one's time and energy can be just as valuable. :) We have a lot of scams going on here, where people try to get donations for a cause, so I am very cautious about where I send my money!

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  2. Sharyn Mallow WoerzSeptember 20, 2016 at 9:53 AM

    I read a quote last night, You know you've been created in god's own image if he hates everyone you hate.

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    1. thesycamoretreeSeptember 20, 2016 at 9:58 AM

      That would be from the pen of Anne Lamott - she is both witty and wise!

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    2. thesycamoretreeSeptember 20, 2016 at 9:59 AM

      But I think she phrases it as "You know you've created god in your own image..."

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  3. EllenSeptember 20, 2016 at 10:56 AM

    My neighbor... If only we could see our fellow men as parts of ourselves and of everything around us. They say separation is the main cause of suffering. I would like to put this idea of oneness into practice but I am afraid of all those who won't

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    1. thesycamoretreeSeptember 20, 2016 at 11:23 AM

      If we could just begin at the starting place of looking for our commonalities instead of our differences...

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  4. TriviumSeptember 20, 2016 at 5:00 PM

    Quit trying to work out if youre morally obligated to offer aid and just give it if you can. I'm putting thiat on my office door. Really great writing.Really pragmatic ethics. Sorry so tired tonight I'm not saying anything witty....





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    1. thesycamoretreeSeptember 20, 2016 at 5:44 PM

      Thank you. :) I wonder if pragmatic ethics could be the religion of the future (no dogma as a side dish, please). Hope you get some rest soon!

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