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This week: It's Your Story Now Edited by: Sophy  
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Hi, I'm Sophy ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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It's Your Story Now
The movie “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” follows a group of British retirees who for varied financial reasons decide to “outsource” their retirement to the less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and bolstered with visions of a life of leisure, they arrive to find the palace a shell of its former self. Though the new environment is less luxurious than imagined, they each make it their new home and are forever transformed by their shared experiences. Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith star, along with Dev Patel and other terrific British and Indian actors. It’s a fun movie, and I recommend it if you haven’t seen it.
A few months ago I watched the sequel on HBO – “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.” I enjoyed it as well, which is rare for a sequel. The addition of Richard Gere to the cast didn’t hurt! Part of the plot of the first movie involves Maggie Smith’s character, Muriel Donnelly, befriending Sonny, the young Indian man who runs the Marigold Hotel. She gives him lessons in love and life, and ends up co-managing the hotel with him. By the time of the second movie, the hotel has become a success – so much so that there is only a one vacancy left – which sets the stage for him to pursue his dream of opening a second hotel. He is also preparing to marry the love of his life, Sunaina.
Muriel’s health is a question mark throughout the film as she visits doctors and appears to receive bad news, which she does not share with anyone. At the end of the movie, after helping Sonny with his new hotel and advising him how to smooth things over with his bride-to-be, Muriel pens a letter to Sonny, which is voiced over the wedding reception at the end of the movie.
“I know you’ll understand me missing the reception, and I hope you’ll forgive me for not coming to say goodbye. Go and have the honeymoon you deserve. I’m sure there will be somebody there to see you off. There is no such thing as an ending, just a place where you leave the story. And it’s your story now.”
I became so choked up by that line - my throat burned and my eyes watered. I paused the movie so I could write it down - "There is no such thing as an ending, just a place where you leave the story. And it’s your story now.” I thought of my mother, who died almost 4 years ago. I thought of my father, who died almost 14 years ago. Through my grief and loss over the years I considered their stories over, and still sometimes weep for the life we no longer share, for the experiences they would no longer have with the rest of us. And while I know that in a sense, they still live on through me because of the experiences we shared, I had never thought about their death in quite this way before.
"There is no such thing as an ending, just a place where you leave the story. And it’s your story now.”
My parents left the story - but that is not the ending - it's my story now. How shall I continue it?
Christians around the world celebrated Easter a couple of weeks ago - and Muriel's wise words fit that story to. Because my tradition is Christianity, I relate her words to Jesus' death - but the death of any religious leader, in any religious tradition, could find resonance with her words as well. Their death is not the end of the story - Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed - we continue the story.
So when, in the story of Jesus' death, women encountered an empty tomb three days later, when travelers on the road to Emmaus recognized Jesus after they broke bread with him – I hear Muriel's words. “There is no such thing as an ending, just a place where you leave the story. And it’s your story now.” Easter, then, is the recognition that for Christians, it is our story now. Jesus’ death did not close the book on his ministry of love and reconciliation, his passion for justice, his prescription for waging peace.
In the face of all the cynicism and corruption and brutality the world can offer, followers of Jesus are to continue his story, with generosity, dignity, courage, and grace. The empty tomb is a symbol that these values live on despite the worst the world can bring to bear. Amid global terror attacks and US Presidential elections, it can be hard to hear the voices of those who are carrying on the story. But they are out there. There is no better example than Pope Francis – it’s his story now – he washed and kissed the feet of Muslim, Christian and Hindu refugees on Maundy Thursday and declared them all children of the same God, as he performed a gesture of welcome and brotherhood at a time of increased anti-Muslim sentiment following the Brussels attacks. “We have different cultures and religions, but we are brothers and we want to live in peace,” Francis said in his homily, delivered off-the-cuff in the windy courtyard of the center. Several of the migrants then wept as Francis knelt before them, poured holy water from a brass pitcher over their feet, wiped them clean and kissed them. (from Washington Post)
“There is no such thing as an ending, just a place where you leave the story. And it’s your story now.” How then, shall you live it?
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Here is a response to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (March 9, 2016)" about "Attitude Adjustment:"
From Mia - craving colour 
Hi Sophy,
Love the practicality of the spiritual in this Newsletter.
Many thanks for highlighting 'A New Normal' in this edition.
Mia
Glad you enjoyed it!
     
And a comment for an issue from last fall on "Life Before Death:"
From Elfin Dragon-finally published
With regards to "Life before Death" newsletter. Like President Carter, I too wouldn't mind seeing peace anywhere in my lifetime but am also realistic in the fact I most likely won't. But it doesn't stop me from praying for it.
And hoping for it!
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming! Until next time! Sophy |
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Spiritual: April 06, 2016 Issue [#7567]
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