T. 20. II. 1 – 4. Jesus: “Think how much attention is focused on the body! Look at all the trinkets made to hang upon the body; or things to cover it, or for its use and health! See all the useless things made for its eyes to look upon! Think on the many offerings made for the body’s ‘pleasure.’ And remember that all of these were made but to make ‘seem lovely’ that which, on some level, you despise!
Why would you employ this thing you hate, the symbol of your separation, to draw your brother to you and to attract his body’s eyes? Learn now that you but offer him a ‘crown of thorns,’ not recognizing it for what it is, and merely try to justify your own perception of its value by his presumed acceptance! Yet still, what such a ‘gift’ proclaims is his worthlessness to you, as his acceptance and delight acknowledges the lack of value he places on himself!
Real gifts, if they be truly given and received, are not made from one body to another! For bodies can neither offer nor accept; hold out anything real to another, nor truly receive. Only the mind can value anything, thus only the mind decides on what it would receive and give!
Every gift the mind offers depends on what it wants and holds dear. It will most carefully adorn its chosen home in spirit or the world, making it ready to receive the gifts it wants. It does this by offering them to those who come unto its home, or those it would attract to it. And there they will exchange their gifts, offering and receiving what their minds judge to be worthy of them!
Each gift is thus an evaluation of the receiver and the giver! No one sees his chosen home but as an altar to himself. No one but seeks to draw to it the worshippers of what he placed upon it, making it worthy of their devotion. And each has set a light upon his altar, that they may see what he has placed there, then take it for their own. Here is the value that you lay upon your brother and on yourself!
Here is your gift to both you and your brother; your judgment on the Son of God for what he is. Forget not that it is your savior to whom the gift is offered! Offer your brother thorns and you are crucified. Offer him lilies, symbol of his innocence, and it is yourself you set free!
I have great need for lilies, for the Son of God has not forgiven me! And can I offer him forgiveness when he offers thorns to me? For he who offers thorns to anyone is against me still, and who is whole without his brother? Be you his friend for me, that I may be forgiven and you may look upon the Son of God as whole!”