Posted by Carol on August 09, 2004 at 12:06:56
In Reply to: Re: Life in the Family: Thoughts on Systemic Change posted by OldtimerToo on August 09, 2004 at 01:34:35:
"Jesus did not SUGGEST prayer and fasting in this type of situation, He commanded it; did He not? I believe that we should begin here, if we are not merely discussing all this here for our own intellectual vanity, as an exercise in "belling the cat", or showing off our mental gymnastics--what good is that?"
Assuming the gospel writer actually used a word that translates literally to "command," I must ask exactly to whom Jesus was speaking when he gave this teaching? Was he speaking to me? I don't remember being there and hearing it exactly put this way. Maybe Jesus was talking to one of the other disciples--YOU perhaps? And to whom was the gospel writer speaking when he felt moved to pass this teaching along? I'm not sure I feel included in that original first century audience.
I don't believe in using a gospel account of what Jesus said to drop in on his conversations with other people and then automatically assume I could actually be the focus of the Teacher's attention. I think it's possible that the lesson he gave to someone else (Peter? James?) might be meant for me today, but when I prayed about the text you cited, the Living Word immediately reminded me that he calls me friend, not servant. No friend of mine COMMANDS me to do his will, and if he does, I would wonder if he is truly a friend or just an overbearing jerk.
Whether or not I pray without ceasing and fast for days on end or do meaningless, vain acts of mental gynmastics, I see little difference. If I pray & fast, it is by the grace of God; if I jump through another empty intellectual hoop and crack my arrogant egghead wide open and find it full of flies and vermin, it is by the grace of God.
Surely if I am given a moment's freedom from the torment of my loathing for competitive, patronizing men--Yesu, allow me to enter the sacred space of our shared humanity!--it is only by the grace of God.