Tradition Three



GospelMatthew 6:7-15 


Another Place - Anthony Gormley


Jesus said to his disciples, ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this:
‘Our Father in heaven,
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test,
but save us from the evil one.
‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’




 Tradition Three - The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking


I had intended to edit this tradition to create an apppropriate spiritual comparison. After all, the many hundreds of addiction and self-help groups have appropriated the Steps and Traditions as guidelines for their own needs and failings. As a guide for Christians, what would be the 'spiritual' comparison?


AA itself says that the principal of the Third Tradition is  ' to keep the primary focus of the fellowship from becoming diluted.' 


What is our primary focus?


The rich, young man asked this question - what must I do? And the answer was direct enough - let go of what is not important and follow me. 


What is not important is what dilutes our spiritual lives. The busyness, the aspiration, the place on life's ladder - the ties that bind. 


Caught in the bubbling streams of life we babble on whilst God sits and waits. Waits for us to recognise him as Father and Mother, and to call on his help.


The only requirement is to stop.


wordinthehand2011



Comments

none said…
I could really relate to this one!
I find it difficult at times to be still... and yet we need to acknowledge and make space for God, which means ridding ourselves of what gets in the way.
16 June 2011 at 05:29
claire bangasser said…
What is not important, is what delutes our life.
I am slowly learning to identify what is not important... Daunting!

Thank you, mairie :-)
17 June 2011 at 07:49
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