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.
November 9, 2022
Reflection
SELECTIVE CHRISTIANITY
AND
GRADUAL CHRISTIANITY
There is a difference between Selective Christianity and Gradual Christianity.
Selective Christianity is accepting an awareness of various teachings and practices of Christianity - but choosing to deliberately not practice certain teachings - at least not yet.
Gradual Christianity is getting on the path - slowly discovering Christians truths and teachings - and slowly putting them into one's life - and not rejecting any of them out right.
Wait a minute.
That needs clarification.
There are the so called, "Hard teachings of Jesus."
Here's one: "If a person wants to come after me, he or she must deny their very self, take up their cross, and follow in my footsteps." [Matthew 16:14; Mark 8:34]
Do we add:
Did Martin Buber get his I-Thou versus I-It - from Christ - or from the Hebrew Scriptures - or from somewhere else?
Do I agree that "Life is difficult" - as M. Scott Peck puts it?
Do I agree with Dietric Bonhoeffer when he talks about The Cost of Discipleship?
Life takes time: both Chronos and Kairos.
November 8, 2022
Reflection
OPEN AND CLOSED MINDS
I have read an article or two on open and closed minds.
What about my mind - if I sit back - and read myself?
Uh oh!
I would assume that I have an open mind and anyone I don't like has a closed mind.
I would assume that fundamentalists and literalists have closed minds.
I would assume I'm neither.
Uh oh!
I would assume that having an open mind is better - than having a closed mind - but who is the judge and jury?
I would assume there is a lot of, "It all depends" - when it comes to open and closed minds.
I would assume that I have my mind made up on some things. I prefer meat to fish - hot dogs to spinach - spring and autumn to hot summer and cold snowy winter.
I think the Jewish and Christian scriptures are better than the Koran. I think they are wrong with their teachings that push burning others offensive and dangerous. I've seen beheadings on YouTube.
Yet I read the Koran and don't remember seeing texts like that - but I have seen texts about God wiping out others in the Bible.
I assume that some members in my congregation are off the charts. The demons that they are fighting are in them and I don't have to go there.
I assume that I have to open up my mind to what others are saying - and where they are coming from.
I assume that I need to listen to others and try to understand them - and maybe discover more about them and myself.
I assume that I have to discover when and where I have been closed minded.
I assume that I have to learn how to laugh and to cry about myself.
Uh oh!
November 8, 2022
Thought for Today
"God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay;
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day."
Saw a Christmas advertisement on TV last night - November 7 - and someone complained, "Too early!" Why not, instead of complaining, sing a Christmas carol early?
