Connection of see (vision) do (actions): if we can visualize something, then it becomes possible to take steps in that direction.
Hence the request during this morning's closing prayer, "to open our eyes to see things before us as you would have us see them; not as we customarily see them."
The Disciples of Jesus today (us) vs. at the time, 100 generations ago:
Them: The Word of God as oral tradition (Old Testament + live, unfolding Gospel events within living memory)
Us: print, translation, splitting hairs and stumbling over the chapter/verse breaks in flow.
So maybe the printed Bible, ubiquitous as it is in so many variations, is an impediment to understanding God's way.
Jesus' rebuke (Matthew 15+ parable of Clean/Unclean)... "are you so dull?" he retorts to his disciples.
--is that the teaching style of a Rabbi of that day? Surely it is not the modern-sounding sarcasm that we hear.
The balance of comfortable routine and uncomfortable themes: while it is wrong to preoccupy yourself with externals like Worship Service Decorum and Appropriate Degree
of Churchiness (tone, texture, rhythm and pacing), it also is wrong to belittle such formalities because to depart too far from accustomed ways can be a distraction. There is
performance anxiety for those speaking and making music, as well as among those paying attention who may worry for those focal persons in case they should make a mistake or
misstep.
Imagine a real-time instrument to see how many Christian followers at any given moment are dwelling on externalities and not on the temperment or tone of their hearts. Time and
time again Jesus says not to dwell on the formalities of the Old Religion, but to fulfill the spirit of that law and thereby draw closer to God. Suppose, for example, that only 5% of the
aggregate Christians at a peak moment are able to dispense with distractions and focus well and deeply on the heart of Karitas. The same question could be scaled to the personal level, as well: during a weekly or annual cycle, how well are YOU focused on your heart and following the commandment to Care for One Another (love thy neighbor as thyself).
Hence the request during this morning's closing prayer, "to open our eyes to see things before us as you would have us see them; not as we customarily see them."
The Disciples of Jesus today (us) vs. at the time, 100 generations ago:
Them: The Word of God as oral tradition (Old Testament + live, unfolding Gospel events within living memory)
Us: print, translation, splitting hairs and stumbling over the chapter/verse breaks in flow.
So maybe the printed Bible, ubiquitous as it is in so many variations, is an impediment to understanding God's way.
Jesus' rebuke (Matthew 15+ parable of Clean/Unclean)... "are you so dull?" he retorts to his disciples.
--is that the teaching style of a Rabbi of that day? Surely it is not the modern-sounding sarcasm that we hear.
The balance of comfortable routine and uncomfortable themes: while it is wrong to preoccupy yourself with externals like Worship Service Decorum and Appropriate Degree
of Churchiness (tone, texture, rhythm and pacing), it also is wrong to belittle such formalities because to depart too far from accustomed ways can be a distraction. There is
performance anxiety for those speaking and making music, as well as among those paying attention who may worry for those focal persons in case they should make a mistake or
misstep.
Imagine a real-time instrument to see how many Christian followers at any given moment are dwelling on externalities and not on the temperment or tone of their hearts. Time and
time again Jesus says not to dwell on the formalities of the Old Religion, but to fulfill the spirit of that law and thereby draw closer to God. Suppose, for example, that only 5% of the
aggregate Christians at a peak moment are able to dispense with distractions and focus well and deeply on the heart of Karitas. The same question could be scaled to the personal level, as well: during a weekly or annual cycle, how well are YOU focused on your heart and following the commandment to Care for One Another (love thy neighbor as thyself).
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