|
Wisdom Sayings
What the New Testament cries out to us is that the fullness of being we are summoned to dwells within our being as it is now and is realized when our being and the being of God come into full resonant harmony. Meditation invites us to enter the resonant harmony of God.
*John Main (1926-1982). Moment of Christ.
One of the greatest sins of the church is its withholding both insight and practice to realize the divine fullness that Jesus Christ offers equally to every man, woman, boy, and girl in the mystical Body of Christ. We clergy help keep many Christians immature in realization of the fullness of God. People tend to live up to expectations, or down to them. The present emergence of spiritual depth in the Church, which seems to have been more a laity movement, will continue to be principally a laity movement. Maybe that is the way it should be, seeing Christianity began as chiefly a laity and laity-led movement - just look at Jesus, for we have no evidence He was other than laity. I truly believe God knows we clergy need desperately for laity to return us ~ the clergy ~ to the fullness of Christ.
*Brian K. Wilcox
Spiritual Exercise
Before reading the Wisdom Story, read over the Today's Scripture a few times. Engage it through prayerful meditation or Lectio Divina. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you, applying the scripture to you personally.
Today's Scripture
6 So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, 7 rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
9 For in him dwells the whole fullness of the deity [not just divine attributes] bodily, 10 and you share in this fullness in him, who is the head of every principality and power.
*Colossians 2.6-7, 9-10, CEV
Wisdom Story
A man is traveling abroad and sees what appears to be a monk. He, also, sees what appears to be a monastery being built in the background. He draws near the monk. He says, "Sir, you must be a monk belonging to that monastery." "Yes," replies the monk, "I am the Abbot." The man notes to him, "Well, I am so glad to see another monastery being built." "Oh, the monastery is not being built, sir," replies the Abbot, "the monastery is being torn down." Bewildered, the man asks, "Why?" Says the Abbot, "So we can see the Sunrise?"
Comments
Regarding Colossians 2.6-7, 9-10a, John Main, in Moment of Christ, writes:
These are words addressed to each one of us. 'Live your lives in union with him' is the Christian invitation. Not to admire from a distance, not even to worship from afar but to live 'in union'. That is the redemptive invitation that the Gospel addresses directly to each one of us.
Main points to the phrase, in our translation reading 'you share in this fullness in him':
St. Paul tells us that 'in him you have been brought to completion'. The Christian mystery summons each of us to enter into the divine milieu and to take our appointed place within it. The fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ and Christ dwells in us. In his indwelling we find completion. To be complete as human beings we must live this mystery not just intellectually, not just emotionally but with our full being.
Reflections
How does St. Paul link together theology and Christian living in the Colossians scripture?
What are the ramifications of the Colossians passage for your life as a Christian? The church or other faith community you belong to?
How do you discern persons who are living the fullness of Christ?
Has any particular person been a witness to you in living the fullness of Christ? What qualities about him or her convinced you of his or her living the fullness of Christ?
* * *
For Brian's on-line audio sermons, go to www.wherethelightshines.org and select Pastor's Corner; on the following page is his weekly sermons given at Christ United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL.
* * *
For replies and biographical information, and submission to "The Light Shines" daily devotionals ~ a ministry of Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL, see next page:
Continued... |
