Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Out of Karma and into Grace


My friend Jose posted this article Bono on Jesus.   It's interesting and this quote really touched me:
no: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.
Michka: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.
Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.
- See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/bono-on-jesus/#sthash.hGVKH1RP.dpuf
Bono: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.
Michka: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.
Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.
- See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/bono-on-jesus/#sthash.hGVKH1RP.dpuf
Bono: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.

Michka: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.

Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.
Michka: I’d be interested to hear that.

Bono: That’s between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep s—. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.
I believe in Karma and I desire to be more graceful.  I love his point that karma is in physics " every action is met by an equal or an opposite one" - it makes the inner science geek in me happy. And my personal philosophy on religions - almost all religions - is that they can be basically driven down to try your best to be good and you will be rewarded here and/or in the after-life.  Or in other words, karma - what you reap you will sow.

It opens my eyes to see the transformation from karma to grace.  Grace is a character trait I wish I used more often.  I will say on my behalf, I'm getting better at being graceful - improving, but still with lots of room to grow.

And I do love this line Grace defies reason and logic, because I have a niece Grace who does on a regular basis defy all reason and logic with her choices!  Which makes her fun and joy to be around.  

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