“No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.
You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ,
but that I was sent before him.
...He must increase; I must decrease.”
W hen I sometimes recall homilies I gave thirty and forty years ago, I wonder exactly what point I was trying to make, and if it had anything to do with the Gospel. I am sure that I was sure of myself then, but I wonder about that now.
And I also remember some responses I received from the good people who heard my preaching, and that their feedback reflected little of what I said. I am glad of that. Clearly the Holy Spirit was speaking to his people through my words and perhaps despite my words.
That's good by me! And I would readily point to their testimony as some sort of justification should the Lord call me out on Judgment Day and ask, "What were you trying to do to my Gospel?" I would say, "Lord, they heard your voice and were healed, consoled, and guided! As to what I was trying to do or say, or whatever I meant, I have no idea! I ask again for mercy. And fall down before you!"
I hope that I have, like Saint John, said on many occasions, in one way or another, "I am not the Christ!" I have certainly been reminded of it often enough. Or perhaps, not often enough.These final words from Saint John give us solid direction as to how we should live our lives and reassess the good we have done. What matters is that the Gospel is promoted, as Saint Paul said from a Roman jail. (Apparently he had been jailed by a conspiracy of fellow Christians.):
Of course, some preach Christ from envy and rivalry, others from good will. The latter act out of love, aware that I am here for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not from pure motives, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment.
What difference does it make, as long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed? And in that I rejoice.Indeed I shall continue to rejoice, for I know that this will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:15-19
No comments:
Post a Comment
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.