Cameo 3 Commentary “You must love the children and help them”

January 7, 2021

A chalice list is like a prayer list – a list of other people for whom we are expected to pray. The use of a chalice tells us of Jesus’ interest in using all aspects of the tradition that has grown up around him.    The chalice represents the cup from the Last Supper, which is a Christian symbol for the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins.  Yet his usage here means something quite different, showing that Jesus is interested in using and reinterpreting all elements of the tradition.  Offering someone the cup of Atonement, means seeing them as worthy of forgiveness and encouraging their own forgiveness.  We see this in Helen’s urging to Chip to “release” his father, toward whom Chip had been enraged. 

This forgiveness that Helen is teaching to Chip is also the exact same forgiveness she needs.  “Chip’s story triggered abandonment of the children, guilt and a fear of God’s abandonment as justice.” 

We don’t have the full story about Helen’s abandonment and hurting of the children.  She is likely carrying around this guilt with her from an earlier lifetime, since there is nothing in her biography indicating abandonment.  Jesus urges her to “not give way to guilt.”  This idea of releasing ourselves from guilt becomes a constant theme of the Course. 

It is worth noting that Helen is helping the children in this lifetime as well.  I am sure this is significant considering her prior wrongdoing, which Jesus calls her hates and hurts.  This was an “interval of darkness” that she can leave behind.  In the Manual for Teachers, we are told that the posture a Course teacher should take on reincarnation:   

For our purposes, it would not be helpful to take any definite stand on reincarnation (M-24.3:1).

This is because the Course is singularly focused on the student integrating the thought system, and multiple births play no part in God’s creation; God creates us once and for all time.  But it is worth noting that the Course does not shy away from the practical application of the concept, thus providing affirmation for it (if you find it useful).  In this essay, Jesus appears to be calling Helen by a previous name, Azra.  And the parallels to the prophetic scribe, Ezra, from the Babylonian exile, are worth reflecting on.  Just in that previous “interval of light” Helen is once again leading us from exile. 

Exercise:

Can you think of “intervals of darkness” in your current life that you need to forgive yourself for?  Do you remember a time when you had intense anger, hatred or hurtful behavior?   Bring this to mind.

Now imagine Jesus saying to you: “You who lived so close to God must not give way to guilt…. You will receive mercy, not justice.” 

Next consider how Jesus has provided you opportunity to release yourself from your own condemnation. Just as Helen was provided opportunity to make up for her painful past by helping the children, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are providing us the same opportunity. Perhaps this type of healing is what draws us to the Course.

One mode of accomplishment will be through focused forgiveness with those to whom we are told to pray.  I recommend we keep a chalice list. If you keep a guidance journal, it could be as simple as jotting down names of those you feel called to pray for.  Others are sent to us to learn to receive Atonement.  

Practice Recommendation:

I, who live so close to God, must not give way to guilt.