A Relationship With Mystery, Pt. 5

Today's readings: Ps 98,148; Isa 26:1-6; 2 Cor 5:16-6:2; John 8:12-19

Yesterday we considered Apocalyptic literature, a product of a people who did not define the world in strictly linear time. Scripture challenges us because it comes from a different perspective on reality. Surprisingly, modern physics tends to reinforce a non-linear understanding of time more than our own. In what other ways does scripture challenge us to change our perspective on reality?

In John and 2 Corinthians, Jesus and Paul tell us we need to stop seeing the world “according to the flesh” and start looking at it according to the spirit. Many people have taken this use of “flesh” to mean our bodies are evil, and somehow separate from our spirits—a sort of dualism that pits us against ourselves. Rather, Jesus and Paul use “flesh” as a metaphor for those things in the world that separate us from God. Scriptures similarly use the word “world”—but God created and loved the world, just as he created and loves our bodies.

When Jesus tells us to see things according to the Spirit, what might that mean? It means we aren’t to judge anyone. Even Jesus—who is able to judge—has chosen to judge no one (John 8:15). This is a paradox of our faith: those who should not judge do, and those who could do not. Any time we judge someone, we are seeing with the flesh, and not the spirit.

Paul tells the Corinthians that when we abandon the human point of view, we will see Christians as new creations (2 Cor 5:17). The lack of judgment of others, from others, and of ourselves frees us to be entirely new. Ironically, it is this lack of need to conform to or impose worldly righteousness that transforms us into Christ’s righteous ambassadors.

In Christ we find not a religion—defined by those who measure up and those who do not—but relationships. Truly immersing ourselves in Christianity takes courage, the courage of pioneers entering the wilderness of humankind and blazing trails to true relationship with others. Our true north is love. Our path is not the same as anyone else’s. Our adventure begins and ends in mystery.

Comfort: Your faith does not have to look like anyone else's.

Challenge: When you judge people, forgive them and yourself.

Prayer: God of Mystery, lead me through the wilderness of faith.

Evening reading: Ps 45, 96


Tomorrow's readings: Ps 98, 149; Gen 17:1-12a, 15-16; Col 2:6-12; John 16:23b-30