November 10, 2022

Reflection

DIAGNOSIS - PROGNOSIS - GNOSIS

"Gnosis" is a Greek word that needs to be noticed.

It simply means "knowledge".

And there it is rooted in and part of the word: knowledge

You can hear it as you say the word, knowledge.

Sometimes when someone tells us something like that, we say sort of automatically, "I didn't know that."

Anyone who as read the book, The Da Vinci Code, has run into the word, "Gnostic" or "Gnosticism".

Gnostics was the label given to groups of people who were off shoots of Christianity - or similar groups.

The label comes from the perception that they had a secret knowledge. They would add or think, "We know and you don't know." Or "You have it wrong!"

Christianity gives knowledge.  There are truths. There are teachings. Learn. Here's a catechism. Attend classes. Go to meetings. Know the text. 

I haven't done a thorough diagnosis of Gnosticism.

Where to start: the key idea is teachings. Knowledge.

In fact, it's the secret knowledge that counts.

This knowledge brings salvation.

If I understand Christianity and Catholicism - it's all put out there. It's on the table. There is nothing secret.

And salvation - the ultimate gift - the lifting up after death by Christ - is done by Christ - not by us - not by us getting a special degree - in a list of truths.

The main teaching is that it's all done by Christ.

Then the teaching is based on love - service - caring - building the kingdom - moving the body - growing - forgiving - reaching out to others - all in the name of Jesus.

We are in a paradox here.

It's about knowledge - gnosis - but the gnosis is this: we know each other like Christ knows us - and if we enter into this love - the prognosis is good - and we will be part of the all who rise in Christ.