Asking the Clergy: Spiritual words

This week, we asked the clergy, "What words need better spiritual understanding?"

Repentance

The Rev. David Tue, pastor, The Ark Church, Ronkonkoma:

Too many people think repentance is saying "I'm sorry" or being sorry for something they did, or doing something to make up for the wrong they did. Repentance is a change in your heart from one way of thinking to a new way of thinking.

Let's say you lied to someone and later see the consequences of that lie. You feel bad and say, "I'm so sorry." But next week you lie again because your heart is in the same place. Being sorry doesn't mean you're never going to do it again.

The other thing repentance isn't is doing something to make up for the wrong you did. If I steal something really valuable from you and then lose it or sell it, I can't mow your lawn and make up for that. Doing something to make up for some wrong done isn't repentance.

The beginning of repentance is to understand what you did or are doing. Then, you must turn from thinking it is OK and recognize that it is wrong. You're going from your way of thinking and doing to God's way. Repentance is the tree. Saying "I'm sorry" and making amends are the fruit of that tree.

Religious

Rabbi Emily Losben-Ostrov, Sinai Reform Temple, Bay Shore:

People tend to confuse the word with observant. Religious is about your commitment and connection to your faith. Observant is about how strictly you adhere to the tenets of your faith. The two words are not interchangeable.

Describing someone as an Orthodox Jew doesn't mean he's more religious than someone who doesn't adhere as strictly to Jewish laws. A Conservative or Reform Jew can be just as religious, although not as observant. In fact, you don't have to be a strict adherent of any faith to be religious, which implies your commitment to God. Being observant is the level of your adherence to strict doctrine.

For example, just showing up at the synagogue or church doesn't make you religious. It is also about your commitment and connection to your faith. Yes, we want you to show up, but it is not enough to just show up. You have to put your heart into it while you're there.

Soul

Erik Larson, director, Brahma Kumaris' Global Harmony House, Great Neck:

When we see this as something separate from ourselves, we may act based on a material and temporary physical existence. Because we can't see it, touch it or feel it, we forget it is there. The profound question is why some people pay attention to their soul and some don't.

It is important to remember that we are spiritual beings, not just physical. If you ignore your soul, you're ignoring that truth. Think of it this way: If you ignore the laws of the land, you could run afoul of those laws. Ignore the soul and you could end up in a prison of your own making.

When we can identify ourselves as the soul, an eternal peaceful being of consciousness, we can access the qualities we desire much easier. One way to remember it is this way: I am a peaceful being. I am a soul whose nature is love. I am an eternal being who is the child of God, the supreme Soul.

We are able to see the eternal goodness in other souls, in the human form now, too.

Understanding one's soul leads to understanding self and others, and then to have a better understanding of God.