|
Prayer
Spirit of Truth, save me from a hardened heart and a closed mind. Help me not to mistake being close-minded for faith, and save me from the error of thinking an inability to commit to Truth is a sign of intelligence. Amen.
Story
A Sufi tale has it that an apparently dead man started pounding on the lid of a coffin. The lid was raised, and the man sat up. He said to the crowd, “What are you doing? I’m not dead.” The crowd responded with silent disbelief. Finally, one of the mourners spoke, “Listen here, man, both the doctors and the priests certified that you are dead. So, dead you are.” He was duly buried.
Comments
We each, to some extent, create a view of Reality, a version of Truth. Equally, we could say, a view of Reality, or Truth, is created for us. We are shaped by the society and culture we are part of. It is important that we admit that we have not freely chosen all the particulars of our perception of Reality.
However, we make a mistake to assume we are destined to a particular version of Truth and cannot change. We are not assigned to remain in any view of Truth by fate. Indeed, to make Truth our own, even when shared with other persons, we must come to choose it freely and consciously. Many adults have an unconscious faith, and such is little faith.
While tradition is important, tradition requires conscious engagement of and acceptance by heart and mind for it to be truly personal and personally communal. Tradition is a living evolvement, spanning past with each new moment. Tradition is guided by the past and opens to the future or it is not tradition; then, it is merely a dying belief system.
And, I find it difficult to see how Truth can be chosen freely unless within the context of other alternatives of perception. Just tonight I spoke with a friend who is coming back toward the Christian faith after years away. Now, likely, he will be able to embrace this faith as a genuine experience made freely, not only something inherited from family or church tradition. However, being rooted early in the Christian faith has given him something to return to, even though both he and his understanding of Christian faith has been transformed over the experience and experiments of many years.
First, the above story illustrates the power of our perception of Truth, our truth or truths, to blind us to Truth. The crowd was so focused on what had to be according to their opinion that they did not transition to realize they were wrong and the truly living man sitting from the coffin was right.
Second, the power of apparent experts is illustrated in the story. While a man is evidencing all signs of life, the doctors and priests are appealed to in order to counter his claims. Yes, often experts are right. But, yes, often the experts do not agree among themselves. For example, in theology, there are many different and counter claims made by sincere theologians. Possibly, for example, you have been greatly influenced by a particular teacher or scholar, but that person would be differed from by many other teachers or scholars. While respected persons we might call authorities, authorities are not infallible in their teachings.
Third, the power of singular influence is seen in the story. There appears to be an opening, a gap, to the apparent truth of the man being alive. This is shut, however, when one person appeals to the authorities. The door closes and everyone follows suit. One person, a majority of persons, or the unanimity of persons does not confirm truth. Truth is truth, period, and does not rely on agreement. Still, one person can sway many into untruth.
Fourth, the power of conformity is taught in the story. Everyone simply agreed with what is consensus reality. Very few persons seem to have developed the capacity to think apart from the crowd. The power of healthy community relies on persons with such capacity, for true unity can never be simply an adopted conformity.
Reflection
Have you found yourself challenged to rethink your faith? What was that like for you?
How has your faith changed over the years?
How is your understanding of vital faith truths changing even now?
Have you ever felt discouraged from being open to changing or growing in your understanding of your faith?
Have you been instrumental in supporting another in his or her evolution of faith over time?
Do you know someone who left his or her faith tradition to return to it later with a richer understanding?
What is the difference, in your estimation, between a living tradition and a dying belief system?
Spiritual Exercise
Consider, if you are not already, sponsoring a child through Compassion International. You can find out more about Compassion International by going to www.compassion.net to read about sponsoring, in the name of Jesus, children living in poverty. Thanks! Brian K. Wilcox
To contact Brian, write briankwilcox@comcast.net .
|
