Thus says the LORD, your redeemer,
the Holy One of Israel:
I, the LORD, your God,
teach you what is for your good,
and lead you on the way you should go.
M easure twice, cut once!" says the wise carpenter. It takes little time to ascertain the precise length of wood that is needed, measuring once, twice, or thrice. Nor does it take long to measure and mark the board or two-by-four several times before cutting it. Once it's been cut, there is no uncutting it. But if you've cut it too short you've wasted valuable lumber, which may take much time to replace.
Wisdom challenges its own assumptions, especially assumptions like, "I know what is best," and "I know what I need."
The wise child one day says, "Mommy was right! And I was wrong. Wow." That's when they begin to appreciate the existence of other people. Adults may be willing to do much for a child; they may listen to a child; but they should not obey a child's every demand, or fill their every expectation.
We love the Bible for it reveals the truth to us, and it proves our foolishness. We call it revelation because we should not assume we know the truth. We have our hunches, knowledge, and experience but our horizons are severely limited by our stature. The tallest person can see only so far.
[Google AI says, "On a perfectly clear day, from the summit of Mount Everest, one could theoretically see up to 200 miles or more due to its extreme altitude, but factors like atmospheric conditions and air quality often limit the visible distance to significantly less, usually around 100 miles or so." 200 miles does not begin to scope the dimensions of the Earth, much less of all that is knowable.]
We need the Lord to reveal the truth to us, and we need open, honest minds ready to receive what we may not like, or desire to know.
I knew a man some years ago who, due to a mild intellectual disability, had never been properly educated. But he was a willing and eager volunteer, but he was often underfoot. When I spoke severely to him one time about a mess he'd made, he not only listened, he asked, "Is there anything else?"
I was floored. Well actually, there was: he needed a shower. And I needed to learn from his humility.
In today's first reading, the Lord names himself as "Your Redeemer." That's not an idle title. It's the Lord who is for us and knows our needs better than we do. And we do well to ask, and ask often, "Is there anything else?"
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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.