Knowing the Way

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today give some insight into how we are able to comprehend and act on revelation for change. The Gentiles of Antioch were thankful in the passage from Acts to receive the written instructions delivered by people with experience in the struggle that set down the practices from Judaism which would apply to the Gentiles. Perhaps the ‘written instruction’ has too much authority in the method we use to decide on our actions and behaviour. It is the tension between the Spirit and the Law. We are comfortable with having an understanding of the boundaries. We can even rejoice and be thankful about good law. The psalmist hints that keeping our understanding of the Divine tied to the law may mean that we miss the inspiration for the great charismatic anthem that is based on these verses “For thy steadfast love is great to the heavens, thy faithfulness to the cloud. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let thy glory be over all the earth!”(Psalm 57:10-11) The Divine is not bound by the written instructions of humans. John continues Jesus dialogue with His disciples after the Last Supper with the passage which reveals an invitation to be in the intimate relationship with Him as ‘friends’. The understanding in that relationship is more that words can express as the understanding between human friends cannot be expressed in words. Those who experience this understanding, who transcend words are aware that they strive to honour their Friend through the ancient commandment of loving God with whole being above all other ‘gods’. Action to live this commandment is witnessed through much more than words or adherence to written laws.