"Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us."
W hen God needs me to defend him, we'll all be in very deep trouble. So said my African-American preacher friend in Louisiana. God-who-is-Truth, speaks for himself and we have only to testify to it.
If we think we own it or control it; and should persuade, cajole, push, or force others to know the truth as we know it, when we think they should know, and in the same manner as we know it, we have turned to idolatry of the worst kind -- the worship of self. Imposing onto another's mind we'll find ourselves forced out of God's Kingdom.
The consistent response to God's Word must be humility in the presence of God and in knowledge of him. Whether that knowledge be his Name or his Presence (Shekhina) or his Majesty, our presence is welcome but not needed. We are guests and may feel honored to be in God's presence. We may not presume upon the privilege.
We're all familiar with Saint Paul's ego. Trained as a Pharisee in the vanity of being God's Chosen, his ego appears throughout his writing as he struggled mightily to place it under obedience to the Holy Spirit. Whenever he remembered the appearances of the Risen Lord and recounted them with a creedal formula, he would add to the series,
Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (I Corinthians 15:9)
He could never forget the arrogance and violence of his youth. But he could also admit to himself and his people, the story had not ended with his criminal behavior:
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective
Like Mary, we give glory to God in all things. When she recounted her recent personal story of God's mercy to Elizabeth she began with her own experience and then wrapped it in the story of Salvation History.
The Mighty One has done great things for me,and holy is his name.His mercy is from age to ageto those who fear him.He has shown might with his arm....
That is where we must find ourselves even in post-Christian, post-modern America, within Salvation History but not its center.
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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.