“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
Conversion to the way of Christ entails a conversion, or redefining, of everything we once knew of life. We often use words like peace, freedom, obedience, fear, and joy but when the world hears us speak of these things they have no conception of our meaning.
To their horror, we are delighted by the spirit of obedience and enchanted with the fear of the Lord. We find little satisfaction in the pleasures they pursue but delight in the companionship of saints and angels.
We know what the Lord has revealed to us for truth comes through revelation, while facts are only discovered, discussed, and sometimes discarded. As we ponder revealed truths over the course of centuries we define the doctrines of our faith with neologisms like trinity and consubstantial, while the world rapidly assembles its facts into theories. These constructs are useful until they're not -- Does anyone remember phrenology? -- but our doctrines are assured until the Judgement Day when human words will fail and sacraments will pale like candles in the morning sun.
The world will readily fight and kill to defend it its theories like capitalism and communism and its vague ideas of freedom. But our martyrs kill no one; under God's inspiration, they choose to suffer rather than surrender their fidelity. Even lesser teachings like abstaining from pork, the sanctity of marriage, and the Real Presence in the Eucharist have inspired men and women to accept the penalty of death. They must "obey God rather than men."
During this extended season of Easter, as we prepare for the great revelation of Pentecost, we ask the Lord to convert and redefine the words we use so readily. We want to know their true breadth and length and height and depth within the context of eternity. We do not ask for more facts and better theories. Rather, we ask for deeper conviction in the truths revealed by faith; and that these convictions might guide our thoughts, words, and deeds at every moment of the day.
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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.