Hot Tea on a Cold Day Wisdom

The Lord said: "Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. (Luke 11:42)

Looking through the Gospel stories, we encounter various intense moments between Jesus and the Pharisees. Jesus called them out for their hypocrisy, He exposed their inner tombs and their knowledge on the laws. He threatened their security, prestige, and income. He was going to ruin everything they had worked so hard for. Contrarily, the Pharisees disliked Jesus for one simple reason because He spoke the truth as the Son of God. That is why they are keep asking for signs. Have you ever had a time where Jesus truly spoke to you or exposed your inner self to certain level of Truth? There was a story told about a Zen Master took on a new student who had previously studied under several other masters. During their first encounter the student began to speak of his past studies and achievements.
     The master listened patiently until a servant appeared with a tray of tea. "Please pour the tea," the master instructed his apprentice. "I will tell you when to stop.”
     The student eagerly seized the teapot and began to pour the tea into the master’s cup. As the cup began to fill, the student began to slow his pour.
     Keep pouring," the master instructed as the tea spilled over the sides of the cup and onto the floor.
     'But the cup is full," the student objected as he drained the pot. "The tea has been wasted."
     “You have a lot in common with this cup," said master. "You are already so full-of knowledge that there is no room for more. Would my wisdom be wasted on you?”
      The student looked down at his feet. "Don't despair. There is still hope," suggested the master as he poured out the tea from the cup onto the floor. "An empty cup can hold more than one that is already full.”

Sometimes in order to learn what you need to know, you need to forget what you think you know. (H Evan Woodhead, Adapted from The Power of Paradox)

Let us empty ourselves, things that hinder us from being open to Jesus words.

O Lord fill our heart with your love and we will sing for joy. (Psalm 90:14)

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, you are cause of our joy, intercede for us all. Hail Mary full of grace...

Peace in Christ,
Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen