Saints do not think like men

Learning Point No 324

The very people whom many think are not right for a temple may well be the very ones who are running the temple. This seems not right more so that the members or congregation have chosen them to be the leaders both spiritual and administrative. 

This is not uncommon not only in temples but also some churches and not infrequently, this is more so when those patronizing hail from the lofty, the well-off and the highly educated. 

In the past when the pioneers ran temples with few being well-off, educated and somebodies, temples were only empty shells or houses of worship for devotees to go to once in a while. You would not see much of a daily or weekly crowd and those were the days. 

But even if the characters of the leaders leave much to be expected, so what? Will more suitable people come to the fore and will the members prefer them to be at the helm? 

The answer often is that this may be wishful thinking. There will always be insects coming to a flower for nectar and please do not blame the flower? Without insects coming to the flower, we may not be more aware that insects more than others are the ones who will be there when the flower blooms. 

There is learning when men who lead a temple are not as they should be but are like insects to a flower. The lord saint Lord Bo Tien said that it is good that they take an interest in a temple and they may be more wayward if they are not attracted to a temple. 

At least, they have the chance to make good spiritually and socially. At least even if they do not make good and reform their ways, others could learn from their undoing and weaknesses. 

The lord saint Lord Bo Tien did say that we learn from the strengths and weaknesses of fellow men, more so men at a temple. Then men can be wiser and better off from the learning. 

Thus the saint of a temple will more than welcome such men. They are near though far. This too did Lord Bo Tien say. 

But we may still opine that they would undermine the mission of that temple. Think again if this is right. Wouldn't a heavenly saint relish the chance to rehabilitate and change someone from bad to good. 

But what if they do not? Would it be right for the saint to be heavy handed. There again, this may only serve to send them out and be lost to their wrongful ways. At least, if they remain, there is the hope they will learn and make good one day. 

The way of a heavenly saint certainly may not be the way of the common man. We cannot apply our human standards and that would certainly discredit the wisdom of a saint. 

Saints are not men (at least no longer ordinary men) and do not think like men. If they do, then they are not saints but men, perhaps the creation of men and not real? 

Does it mean that the more baddies running a temple or church, the more likely that God and his saints are there? Think again and be wiser. Perhaps, just keep an open mind.  

Do keep your relationship with Divinity a simple and direct one between you and God and saints. Do not let other men and their unbecoming ways get in the way. 

Spirituality is between God and man and not between God and other men before a man can be with God. The holy communion is between God with every man. 

No other men should get in the way and be the go-between, not even the pastor or leader. However good that pastor may be, he is still a man and not infallible - not above men.  

Do always value and treasure the sacred personal and unique relationship between God and Man - between Heaven and Man. 

We go to a temple or church for God and saints - not by any chance for other men. Do not see the God and saints in men and end up worshiping men instead of God and saints. Worship God, not man. 

This may well be a good point for many if not some temples and churches to keep in mind. By looking up to men, men may be disappointed in God and saints. 

Go for God and saints and not for men, otherwise we may end up questioning the wisdom of God and saints. Remember that saints do not think like men.