Meditations for Lent - #33
The suggested Gospel reading for today is John 8:12-20 which states in verse 12: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” I suppose one could follow the example of theologians and others who have written volumes about this claim of Jesus. One could have a lengthy discussion about what it means for Jesus to claim that he is the son of God and it is by God’s authority that he speaks. One could ask as does Barbara Brown Taylor in her book Holy Envy – Finding God in the Faith of Others, if this God – this Father – of whom Jesus speaks is the same God and father that other religions worship. Is the God to which Jesus refers unique to the Jewish people? We could also ask what it means to have the light of life? Is the light of life that same one we see through the eyes of young , healthy and safe children who see the world as other parts of themselves with which they can connect? Is the light of life that same one we see in adults who are absorbed in and who absorb the love of another from across the crowded room knowing they have met “the one”? Is being the light of life the necessary outcome of taking that leap of faith and trusting that it is enough to just be oneself?
I have seen that light in the eyes of the parents of a new born during those exciting moments when they are introduced to the child who has just emerged from the womb. I have seen the light in the eyes of the person who has no more secrets; who has no need to prove to prove their worth through the use of titles, possessions or conquests. It is enough to simply be. Is it merely a coincidence that the God of the Old Testament identifies as “I am”? Are we closer to God; to being absorbed into that light and, thus, becoming the light at that moment when we are able to identify simply as “I am”?
We could ask what it means to follow Jesus? Does it mean that unless one professes that one is saved by the blood of Christ and acknowledge Him as the only son of God who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, suffered death, was buried and on the third day rose again to sit on the right hand of the Father and will come to judge the living and the dead one is doomed to an eternity of punishment? Does it mean that the Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Hahira Krishnas, Buddhists and all who use the framework of other religions are doomed to an eternity of punishment?
The young exploring baby has not professed his or her faith in the Nicene Creed. The one who has fallen in love is not thinking of the words of the Nicene Creed. The one who delights in just being may never have heard the words of the disciples.
It is only possible to fully love when we have no agenda. It is only possibly to have no agenda if we are able to celebrate our own sacredness. It is only possible to fully enter into “I am” state if we are at peace with our humanness. It is only then we are the light? Perhaps!
Written April 8, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
The suggested Gospel reading for today is John 8:12-20 which states in verse 12: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” I suppose one could follow the example of theologians and others who have written volumes about this claim of Jesus. One could have a lengthy discussion about what it means for Jesus to claim that he is the son of God and it is by God’s authority that he speaks. One could ask as does Barbara Brown Taylor in her book Holy Envy – Finding God in the Faith of Others, if this God – this Father – of whom Jesus speaks is the same God and father that other religions worship. Is the God to which Jesus refers unique to the Jewish people? We could also ask what it means to have the light of life? Is the light of life that same one we see through the eyes of young , healthy and safe children who see the world as other parts of themselves with which they can connect? Is the light of life that same one we see in adults who are absorbed in and who absorb the love of another from across the crowded room knowing they have met “the one”? Is being the light of life the necessary outcome of taking that leap of faith and trusting that it is enough to just be oneself?
I have seen that light in the eyes of the parents of a new born during those exciting moments when they are introduced to the child who has just emerged from the womb. I have seen the light in the eyes of the person who has no more secrets; who has no need to prove to prove their worth through the use of titles, possessions or conquests. It is enough to simply be. Is it merely a coincidence that the God of the Old Testament identifies as “I am”? Are we closer to God; to being absorbed into that light and, thus, becoming the light at that moment when we are able to identify simply as “I am”?
We could ask what it means to follow Jesus? Does it mean that unless one professes that one is saved by the blood of Christ and acknowledge Him as the only son of God who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, suffered death, was buried and on the third day rose again to sit on the right hand of the Father and will come to judge the living and the dead one is doomed to an eternity of punishment? Does it mean that the Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Hahira Krishnas, Buddhists and all who use the framework of other religions are doomed to an eternity of punishment?
The young exploring baby has not professed his or her faith in the Nicene Creed. The one who has fallen in love is not thinking of the words of the Nicene Creed. The one who delights in just being may never have heard the words of the disciples.
It is only possible to fully love when we have no agenda. It is only possibly to have no agenda if we are able to celebrate our own sacredness. It is only possible to fully enter into “I am” state if we are at peace with our humanness. It is only then we are the light? Perhaps!
Written April 8, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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