Every morning between 6:00 and 6:15, he comes walking down the street. I don't have to look at a clock to know he's coming, I can just look out and see the preparation happening in my neighborhood to know..it's almost time for him to arrive.Who is he? He is one of the monks from the local temple about 2 miles away. Each morning he and all the other monks, leave the temple and walk through the neighborhoods gathering their food and supplies for the day.
Before 6 AM my Thai buddhist neighbors start to gather at their house gates...waiting. There is a very old woman who lives about 5 houses down from me, who can barely walk. He adult children drive over each morning, help her out to the street, where they seat her in a chair and set up a tray beside her where they place her food offerings. And then they wait.
It is so quiet, so peaceful. the birds continue to sing, but the soi dogs quit barking and there is a sense that something is about to happen...all are waiting.
Then around the corner he comes, barefooot, in his orange robes, walking slowly, searching for his next stop. I hear the rusty gate slide open, people step out of their yard, kneel down and present their food or supplies offering up above their heads, eyes closed, no sounds do they make. The monk holds his hands out toward my neighbors, I see his mouth moving as if he is saying words but no sounds come forth. He wais them (hands together with a bow) and takes their offering. the monk walks on to the next stop and the people get up, returning to their lives for the day.
All the way down my street I see this same thing happen over and over again and when the monk reaches the street corner, his arms are ladened with food and supplies to take back to the temple to share with the other monks...another day they can eat and survive.
Now being from the USA...this is what it seems like I just saw..... people humbly giving an offering and the monk giving them a blessing. But I asked my neighbor ladies (you remember them..... the ones I shared a little snake adventure with and gave them Thai/english Bibles and tracts) Well they share with me that it is ones duty to Make Merit. In this case, each family is making merit by offering food and supplies which is the ONLY way that monks have anything to eat or their daily items that one needs to live. by making merit one EARNS there way to a better life, next time around. One can earn merit for family members, deceased family members or oneself. However, every buddhist also knows that no matter how much merit you make and earn...... it might not be enough..... or even if it is enough, there is still nothing that promises you will be granted a better life. Make merit and hope, but no promise is offered AND no one knows Who it is that will grant this better life.
And yet, there they are every morning, outside waiting, prepared with an offering..........
For these people, this is the reason.... Genesis 12: 1,3 says.... "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.... that all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
For my neighbors and their neighbors.... that is why you and I are here. That my neighbor could receive and rejoice in the Promise of a better life through our Lord and Savior!
a parting thought...... are we waiting and prepared to meet our Lord and offer him ourselves each morning? Wouldn't it be something if christ walked through our neighborhood this morning and found each of us at the gate, waiting for him with our arms full of our life offerings to him???
blessings
Pam
