DEACON 11: «To Live a Life Well Lived»

DEACON 11

(A Life Well Lived)

Jesus taught his disciples many things. Some things, apparently, they were unable to understand and they usually replied rather dumbfounded. But eventually, I believe, they realised the truth and the teachings were assimilated. On one occasion where Jesus was actually giving advice he told them this:

Be merciful, as your Father in Heaven in merciful; do not judge others and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given onto you; a generous portion for with the measure that you use for others you will be measured as well. (a paraphrasing from the Gospel of Saint Luke 6:36-38)

And this is really a lesson on how to live a life well lived. Yet, mercy is not so common anymore even among those professing faith, and rare among the powerful that supposedly lead their countries. As far as judging others goes, well, they are a dime a dozen and it seems no one fears the fact that they will be judged. Reference condemning others, well, there  are plenty out there, including the so-called “powers that be” that are quick to condemn those that they do not understand and that because they do not understand them,  they fear them. And there is such a phenomenal lack of forgiveness in the world…

Governments turning into the rulers of the people, when people are meant to be free and control their governments. They are measuring their people wrongly but with that same measure they will be measured one day. And I ask where is the compassion?

And these instructions for a life well lived is not found only in the Holy Bible. The Baghavad Gita, a book of knowledge and blessings, says that for a life well lived one must: Know their duty and purpose in life; act without attachment; surrender to God; practice meditation and yoga; live in the present moment and be kind and compassionate.

Without kindness and compassion there is little chance that anyone’s life will be a meaningful experience. And without love, as Saint Paul had taught, nothing has any real value:

If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am

nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. (Epistle to the Corinthians 1: 13)

Therefore, I truly do believe that the only thing one does need to do to live a life well lived one must start to practice charity, render to God what is God’s and show kindness and compassion to all, and keep all the other commandments.

C.2025, Francisco Bravo Cabrera – 17 MAR 2025 – Valencia, España