spiritual kung fu

We watched the new “Kung Fu Panda” with kids this past Saturday. Sequels are usually not as good as the original films, if not plain bad. This one surprised me in that respect, as it turned out to be deeper than the first cartoon. The message was toward those who got stuck with their past – what they did or experienced in the past – and can’t move forward. Approximately this: the past doesn’t define you; what you decide to be from now on – that’s what defines you. Isn’t that repentance, metanoia, the change of heart? the resolution to do good and reject the temptations to sin?

Two things I heard over the last few days had removed the veil from my eyes, at least relatively, and let me see the Light. One of them is what Romanos wrote: “God is not angry with you”. And another one is from the cartoon. Right on time, as I was preparing for the confession. I was definitely stuck with the multitude of dark things in my past. I needed someone to show me the way, again. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for You never leave me, even when I think I left You. Thank You for the messages You always send me through Your other children.

“Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life reigns!” And we’re free to go forward to the Light and be the light, the choice is ours – between that and looking back like Lot’s wife and staying stuck.