You have made man like the fish of the sea,like creeping things without a ruler.
The prophet Habakkuk looks at the sorry picture of human life, seeing the ruled as hapless fish and their rulers as fishermen who worship their nets. Neither suspects the deeper reality or abiding presence of God.
The history of both philosophy and religion might be described as the human struggle for consciousness. We want to know what’s going on, who we are, and where we fit in the grand scheme of things. Over the course of thousands of years we have developed many different answers to these questions. They often compete with one another and each has its own following. Too often these answers are just ideas; their effect is superficial at best. Despite their bright and shining promise and the conceit of those who hold them, they do not deliver satisfaction, contentment or awareness.
Stoicism, for instance, seeks the minds control of the body. The stoic would lift the mind above the body with its feelings, desires and needs. He considers himself superior to others because his principles are better than the unenlightened impulses of those around him. While others overeat, over-drink, lie about idly and complain about their miseries the stoic sneers at their useless lives and pursues his own notions of the good life. But, more often than not, his cherished principles only mask his true feelings and desires. His arrogance demands that others serve his baser needs while he pursues ethereal ambitions. In comic books and other stories, he is the Lax Luther character, an arrogant, unwitting fool.
Buddhists have assisted the Christian world by challenging us to get real about our doctrines. The story is told of the Benedictine monk who visited the Buddhist monk. The Buddhist asked the Christian, "What is silence?"
The Benedictine explained his understanding of silence, to which the Buddhist replied, "That is not silence."
The Benedictine, calling upon a lifetime of study and erudition, offered another explanation of silence. Again the Buddhist said, "That is not silence."
A third time, the learned scholar offered even deeper reflections on the mystery of silence and the presence of God; and the Buddhist still sighed, "That is not silence."
Finally, the Benedictine said nothing.
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| The base of the Tabernacle |
After a half-hour or more, the Buddhist said, "Thank you."
Faith, hope and love; prayer, silence and contemplation; simplicity, purity and the will of God: are neither ideas nor ideals. So long as we think about them we are no better than fish in the sea or the idolaters who ensnare us.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.