AN INSPIRATION

AN INSPIRATION

My hand clutched the torn piece of paper containing the quickly scribbled note, and I proceeded slowly and tentatively toward the massive stone blocks.

As I reached the cold, hard wall, as tradition suggested, I gently pushed my short list of hopes, along with a plea for mercy, beside thousands of others nestled in tiny gaps between the giant stones.

Then, without further thought or preparation, I placed my hands firmly on the Western Wall and began to sob.

I experienced an overwhelming sense of pain and suffering, not personally, but one representative of universal suffering throughout the world.

For whatever reason, I did not feel the presence of God, and I wondered, if not Him, who would comfort us through the inevitable trials we are all subject to in life.

This same trip to Israel would confirm the answer.

As I toured the sites that attracted many Christian pilgrims, such as Bethlehem, Gethsemane and the Holy Sepulcher, it was a much more quiet location that impacted and haunts me still today.

As my tour bus wound its way to the Mount of Beatitudes, in the distance I noticed a small circle of brilliant light on the surface of the Sea of Galilee.

Because of a heavy layer of clouds, the surrounding area was imbued with darkness and, afraid that I may have been its only witness, I held my breath while gazing at the golden orb. (My fianc e later concurred that she saw it, too, so we concluded it was a freakish display of nature and not a supernatural experience.)

Far more important, it was on this very spot that Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) using words that would create controversy and discussion forever.

In this sacred setting, it was easy for me to imagine Jesus walking along the hills surrounding Galilee’s shore preaching the “Golden Rule,” the Beatitudes, parables and other lessons.

But it was Jesus’ actions that would inspire and create in me the desire to become a better person.

Upon much study and reflection, it became obvious to me that God brought Jesus into the world to teach and show us how we should live — not only 2000 years ago, but today.

It is my firm belief that Jesus wanted us to imitate him in his service to humanity.

Jesus is the divine example of what our lives should be in this world — that is, a servant to our neighbors, our friends and even our enemies.

He emphasized that we are the ones who must visit the lonely, feed the hungry, comfort the distraught and bring outcasts to our table.

I was primarily taught to exalt Jesus as God, yet I, and may I suggest many others, downplay Jesus the teacher because to follow “The Way,” or the teachings and example of Jesus, is extremely difficult if not impossible.

It is one thing to say we believe in Jesus’ miracles, his birth, death and resurrection, but it is much more challenging to implement the love that he showed to all with whom he came in contact.

After all, which of us will “sell of all your riches and give them to the poor,” as Jesus says in Mark 10:21.

People who have dedicated their lives practicing Jesus’ teachings are few, with some well-known followers being Dorothy Day, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr. and the great Hindu, Gandhi.

I could never be like them.

But in Matthew 25:35-36 Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was sick and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Reflecting on that message, I began to not only notice, but also admire, those kind and gentle people who quietly volunteered at the local Rescue Mission or Hospice, shoveled the snow from elderly neighbors’ driveways or mowed their lawns, drove friends to the hospital for chemo treatments, or comforted those who had suffered minor or major losses.

I have benefited greatly from their generosity.

Many times I hear givers like these described as “angels, sent by God,” but I contend that they are humans who make a choice to serve God by following Jesus’ teachings and example.

While I could never be “just like Jesus,” or “just like Gandhi,” I could at least become more like these wonderful people who, no matter their faith, are acting upon Jesus’ message.

Gandhi, who studied Jesus, was no doubt influenced by him when he said, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”

In this life, we’ll always experience trying times, tribulations, pain and suffering, and this is how God told us to address it — bring a bit of his kingdom to Earth by implementing the teachings of his son, Jesus, and by following his example of love.

So, how am I doing (being a follower of Jesus, that is)? I sincerely feel I’ve made progress.

A pilgrim’s journey is never finished, of course, but I hope that I’m more gentle, kind and helpful to people.

I’d like to believe I’m less proud, envious and prone to complaining.

I donate more to charity than I used to and, on occasion, practice random acts of kindness.

While I am more compassionate and empathetic, I still find it difficult to “turn the other cheek” and “love my enemies.”

I must try harder.

No doubt the teacher would want me to.

Tom Bresko of Boardman is a Christian on a spiritual pilgrimage.