An Epiphany epiphany: January 4, 2015
There are so many claims to be at the heart of it all!
These are from the Mass for the Epiphany:
‘All nations will come to you, radiant Jerusalem.’ [based on Isaiah 60:1-6]
“God’s Chosen People” with divine right to “The Promised Land”
“We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us.
This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.” [1John 4]
Here is the Catholic version:
“The Catholic Church is the One true Church.”
The U.S. version:
“American Exceptionalism!”
‘There is no other nation or people in the history of the world like America.’
ISIS even claims it:
“Islamic Jihad!”
Who is right? Who is to be believed?
How do we show we have the truth? That we are unique and most important?
The Tea Party appeals to a fundamentalist reading of the U.S. Constitution.
The Catholic Church appeals to the authority of the pope and bishops and tradition.
There are a variety of fundamentalist interpretations of the Christian and Muslim scriptures (and every other religion of a book).
My epiphany for the Epiphany?
The good news of Jesus was “Rethink your life, your faith! The Reign of God is right here at hand.” [Mt. 4:17]
It isn’t in Jerusalem or Rome or Mecca.
It isn’t in the Constitution or the Bhagavad Gita or even in John 3:16.
It is all around us, within us.
There is no single center to which all must or may turn, not even Jesus himself.
God pervades, permeates all, reveals in every way imaginable.
In Tweet format:
All will come to you, radiant Jerusalem.” “American Exceptionalism!” “One true Church.” #Epiphany! There is no Center. God pervades!
James E. Hug, S.J.
[To add a reply, click on "Comments" below]
There are so many claims to be at the heart of it all!
These are from the Mass for the Epiphany:
‘All nations will come to you, radiant Jerusalem.’ [based on Isaiah 60:1-6]
“God’s Chosen People” with divine right to “The Promised Land”
“We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us.
This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.” [1John 4]
Here is the Catholic version:
“The Catholic Church is the One true Church.”
The U.S. version:
“American Exceptionalism!”
‘There is no other nation or people in the history of the world like America.’
ISIS even claims it:
“Islamic Jihad!”
Who is right? Who is to be believed?
How do we show we have the truth? That we are unique and most important?
The Tea Party appeals to a fundamentalist reading of the U.S. Constitution.
The Catholic Church appeals to the authority of the pope and bishops and tradition.
There are a variety of fundamentalist interpretations of the Christian and Muslim scriptures (and every other religion of a book).
My epiphany for the Epiphany?
The good news of Jesus was “Rethink your life, your faith! The Reign of God is right here at hand.” [Mt. 4:17]
It isn’t in Jerusalem or Rome or Mecca.
It isn’t in the Constitution or the Bhagavad Gita or even in John 3:16.
It is all around us, within us.
There is no single center to which all must or may turn, not even Jesus himself.
God pervades, permeates all, reveals in every way imaginable.
In Tweet format:
All will come to you, radiant Jerusalem.” “American Exceptionalism!” “One true Church.” #Epiphany! There is no Center. God pervades!
James E. Hug, S.J.
[To add a reply, click on "Comments" below]
RSS Feed