January 3

1 John 3:1-6; Psalm 98:1-2, 4-7; John 1:29-34

“Even that which has been the means of our making progress - if we are too intent on holding on to it, possessing, and reifying it - can be transformed into an obstacle and a brake.  It can become an instrument of mediocrity that prevents us from advancing in our experience, both as Christians and as human beings.”  - Raimon Panikkar, The Experience of God

Part of John’s brilliance lies in his awareness of this truth.  He knows he’s been called, and that he’s been faithful, but he also knows that he is not the end of the road.  He knows that there’s more for his disciples than he can teach them.  He points them to Jesus for the next stage.

But then the stumbling block.  As John’s Gospel and letters make clear, for him - and for many other Christians since then - the last word has been spoken.  Jesus, as we understand him right now (or as we have translated him since King James, or the Council of Trent, or Jerome, or in the earliest Gospels) is the end that becomes a stumbling block.  The God that Jesus manifests is made into an object, a person with the qualities attributed to “Him” by people long ago, and our loyalty to that object and those qualities becomes the mark of our faithfulness.  Without meaning to, our desire to follow faithfully becomes a barrier.

This weekend I met a priest whose vision of God is expanding beyond what he understands, and he’s afraid.  I’ve been afraid of the same thing, and it was comforting to know that I’m not alone.  And when I hear him, and read these words from Panikkar, I know it’s a good sign to be at the end of the familiar road.  John knows that.  Jesus knows it.  I’m in good company.

Where are you opening to something new and unfamiliar in your life?  Pray for the courage to let it unfold.  You are not alone.  I’ll be praying with you.