2 December 2016 - out of the gloom

[ Today's Readings ]

On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.

These are words are so powerful that even the deaf cannot help but hear them. Their ears restructure themselves obediently so that the words may be heard. This vision of renewal is so necessary to see that the blind eyes open themselves in order to behold it. God is the one who is speaking. He is the one who is revealing himself. All creation obeys him.

His word takes precedence over any secondary cause that would otherwise impede it. The tyrant and the arrogant trade only in the secondary causes that are powerless before the word of the LORD. These things don't seem powerless when they take the form of political or military power. Yet they are nothing compared to the power of God's word. The words of tyrants and the arrogant speak impressively of destruction and condemnation. Implicitly they claim to be all powerful but their claims are ultimately empty. The words are ultimately proved false. It is because the word of God is ultimate truth that it has power. The words of the arrogant and of tyrants cannot compete precisely because they are false. They are ultimately revealed and swept away. Even if for a short time they seem to prevail their days are numbered.

We are called to be lowly and humble before the word of the LORD. Even if we err and sometimes act as the tyrant or the arrogant the LORD is willing to give us understanding and instruction. He wants us to see the work of his hands in our midst so that we can recognize the truth of his word. When we recognize and believe that truth we see its power unleashed in our lives.

“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”

Only his word can set us free from the illusions that otherwise ensnare us. Only his light can cast out fear.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?

LORD, let your word shine in our hearts! Free us from the temptation to do anything apart from you. Let us be lowly before you so that we may find true joy.