Gospel of John

 

There have been John's gospels this week since Sunday. Today's gospel was most important, as was the reading from Saint Peter on Sunday. 

Each of them gave very direct and short messages that gave us a sense of finality and summed up what we need to accomplish for ourselves and God this side of heaven. 

I was listening to the readings today and when the preacher began to preach I noticed that what he was saying sounded like eloquent speech but it was intermingled with gospel truths. So that he said things like "where there is confusion, with light brings courage" and of course I am really curious about truth and strict with words so I was struck by this.

As a writer, and I have been writing most of my life, even as a small child I kept a journal, I think of things like what words are most useful and economy of words, meanings of words, and the importance of what they convey to your piece and your audience. They make an article more interesting, more powerful. Powerful in a compelling sense. 

Speaking of compelling, the priest then asks us to continue to do our part and speak for Jesus,  who I am always ready to speak up for. So I came to give my little gospel experience a chance here. 

Words. They have meaning. The writer is always thinking about that. If you are a bad writer, you forget. You listen to things; rhythms or poetic strokes. I have not liked the more artistic styles of writing from my youth, grappling with the artistry, like standing in swamp grass looking for meaning. (It's a half metaphor) What should matter most isn't the prettiness of the words but what the writer is telling you.

In the homily, and that's what the preaching part of mass is called, I realized that I have trained myself in searching out truth and meaning with words so that when I am speaking I am able to convey a message with somewhat of my own eloquence, choosing words that matter, saying them in meaningful ways, using a touch of artistry. I have developed style, but more than that I know how to deliver a message. What was different today was that there was a call to realize the truest meanings behind the words that God uses, with intent. This was made valid through this gospel. 

When we speak the correct words of God, we can learn his ways, his direction. Not so much light gives courage, but he is light. When we do that, if we do that, the light we share is from God. 

It sounds kind of small, like what we say is easily graced with truth,but like learning to write, it takes some time to get to know these truths. Learning verses is one thing. Then there is revelation, words are no longer just words. Their meanings aren't just simple definitions. There is real power there. So that what we say about God isnt just something pretty and profound, it is very real and living. Getting those things right takes discipline and grace.

*I will have to look up the two gospels that were so important. 

I realize people would like to be able to utilize the power of God. I thought about that too, today, as the winds howled at my door. Humans kind of wish to be able to do magic things. 

I cannot stop winds or walk on water. How strange when Peter falls into the water! Saints, like the almost contemporary Charbel of Lebanon, who I read about this week, can do amazing things! During the biogtaphy of his life I realized something. They said he always seemed to have someone with him. 

That was important. It helped me understand that his will had been given to God, and God worked through him. Some men do perform miracles, it is true, but it is God's power that works through them. They are special people of grace and discipline. Regular people do not stoop to touch the ground and end quakes, or fly around churches as some saints are reported to have done. 

We may petition God though. We can make him hear our pleas, especially when we come together. The words are meaningful with God though, you see. We petition. For peace, for health. But by his will. We are thankful he loves us and gives us peace and wants good things for us, too.

John 12:44-50

1 Peter 2:20-25