The rabbi's gift
In these troubled times and in a world that has struggled with a pandemic, gasping from climate change, and suffering from wars, we live in an era that has “fallen on hard times.” We can step aside and emulate the rabbi’s mysterious message and choose to see each person we meet “with extraordinary respect.” We can act as we invite others to act. We can offer pathways for living lives of self-respect and respect for others. We can seek “vibrant centers of light” bringing hope to our fragile world where everyone is treasured,.
The Rabbi’s Gift reminds us of the power of respect for one another. And that happens when we patiently cultivate relationships by opening ourselves to “inquire” like the young men who picnic in Scott Peck’s story.
And, we could choose to see the “Messiah” in each one we meet, persons worthy of respect––teachers in the classroom, supervisors with workers, neighbors with neighbors. No one deserves less.
Given that “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forward” (Kierkegaard), I write to bring ideas and methods from my life as a teacher in the latter half of the 20th century to help teachers and the public to “live forward” in this century. My latest book, “Teacher in the Rye” is available on Amazon. And I welcome comments here on my Blog or by email at frankthoms3@gmail.com.
