In ancient China, on the top of Mount Ping, stood a Temple where Hwan, the enlightened lived.

One of his disciples, Lao-li, had studied and meditated for years but felt he hadn't reached enlightenment yet. He decided to accept his destiny and leave, but when he went to tell his Master, he was meditating, and before Lao-li could say anything Hwan said, 'Tomorrow I will join you on your journey down the mountain'.

Next day, as they began their journey, Hwan looked out into the vastness surrounding the mountain. 'Tell me, Lao-li, what do you see?' 'Master, I see the sun awaking, hills and mountains that stretch for miles, and far below a lake and an old city'. Master Hwan smiled.

When they arrived at the foot of the mountain, he asked Lao-li once more, 'What do you see?' 'Master, I see roosters running around, cows asleep in the meadow and children playing by the stream'. The Master remained silent as they walked to the gate of the city and invited Lao-li to sit with him there.

'What did you learn today Lao-li? Perhaps this is the last wisdom I will impart to you.' Lao-li was silent. After a long time, the Master spoke. 'The road to Wisdom is like the journey we have just made. Wisdom comes to those who realise that what one sees at the top of the mountain is not what one sees at the bottom. Without this Wisdom, we close our minds to all that we cannot see from the place where we stand. But with Wisdom there comes an end to sleep. We recognise that, alone, one sees very little.  This is the Wisdom that knocks down prejudices, and teaches us to respect what at first we cannot see. Never forget Lao-li that what you cannot see can be seen from a different part of the mountain.

When he had finished, Lao-li looked out to the horizon, and as the sun set before him, it seemed to rise in his heart. Lao-li turned to speak to his Master, but the great One had vanished.

Jesus has the Words of Life. To hear and receive them we must let go of words of death. 

How do compassion and respect underpin the decisions we make, the conversations we have and the thoughts we think about others?

When we pay close (contemplative) attention to the Gospel texts, they can help us to be more definite about what we mean when we use general terms like love or mercy or kindness or compassion or respect.

In the first temptation of Jesus, satan suggests that people are only happy when their bellies are full. Bread and Circuses are a proven form of manipulation. People can be attracted and kept on board if you just give them what they want. Fill them up and they will let you get away with anything. We see a lot of this in political speeches and in personal relationships.

In the second temptation of Jesus, satan, the first spin doctor, suggests that accusation and division is a sure fire way to power and glory. Look out the window at the enemy, but never let the window become a mirror in which we might see ourselves. Do all you can to keep people fighting with each other. In this way, you can plunder at will without attracting attention to yourself.

In the third, satan suggests that status is more important than integrity. Judge and promote people by their wealth, style or cleverness. Always prefer show over substance.

​The devil did his best to seduce Jesus into using tactics that looked like they might further his ambitions. But Jesus saw them for what they were - betrayals of His true identity as the Beloved Son of God - and he rejected them. It is a constant challenge to us, and it remains to be seen, if we will do the same.