OrEd-T-20.3-Thorns and Lilies.1
5. I look on all the trinkets made for the body's use, to hang on it, to cover it. I see all the useless things made for its eyes to see. I think of the many offerings made for its pleasure, and remember that all these were made to make what I hate seem lovely. Would I use this hated thing to attract my brother and his body's eyes? I learn that I offer him a crown of thorns, not recognizing it for what it is. His acceptance of the gift seems to justify my interpretation of its value. However, the gift of thorns is a symbol of my judgement of my brother, and his acceptance of the gift is a symbol of the value he places on himself.
6. Only the mind can value, and only the mind decides what it would receive, and give. The gift it offers is what it wants to receive. True gifts are truly given and received, and are not made through bodies. For bodies can neither give nor take, accept nor offer. The mind will decorate its home carefully, making it ready to receive the gifts it wants, and attracting those who would bring these gifts by offering gifts to them. They will exchange their gifts, offering and receiving what their minds judge to be worthy of each other. Each gift is an evaluation of both giver and receiver.
7. Everyone sees his home as an altar to himself, and seeks to draw worshippers to what he placed on the altar. A light is set on this altar so worshippers can see what is there, and accept it as theirs. The gift on the altar is the value that I put on myself, and my brother. This gift to both of us is my judgment of the Son of God and what he is. This is the gift I offer to my savior. Offer him thorns, and I am crucified. Offer him lilies, and it is myself I free.
8. Jesus has great need for lilies, for the Son of God has not forgiven him. If the Son offers thorns to Jesus, can Jesus offer forgiveness to the Son? For he who offers thorns to anyone is still against Jesus, and no one is whole without him. I will be my brother's friend for Jesus, that Jesus may be forgiven, and I may see the Son as whole. Now, I look on the altar in my chosen home to see what I have laid on it to offer Jesus. If it is thorns whose points gleam sharply in a blood-red light, the body is my chosen home, and it is separation that I offer. But look, the thorns are gone! I look closer, and see that my altar is no longer what it was!
9. I still look with the body's eyes, and they see only thorns. Yet, I have asked for another sight, and it is given and received. Those who accept the Holy Spirit's purpose also share His vision. This vision enables the Holy Spirit to see His purpose shining from every altar. And this vision is mine now, as well as His. Gleaming in the gentle glow of peace that shines on everything He looks upon and loves, He sees only lilies. He sees no strangers, only dearly loved and loving friends.
