Matthew 13:31-35

       Hidden Truths

     "I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world"

The Holy Spirit is alive and still revealing truths today just as Jesus revealed truths 'hidden since the foundation of the world'.

     We once thought the world was flat. We once thought the earth to be the center of the universe.

We once thought slavery was ok. Indiginous people had no souls. On a more laughable note, a Pope once said suspension bridges were the work of the devil. We once believed women were second class citizens both legally and in the eyes of God.

    Some of these 'truths' were justified and defended by the church. Some of these 'truths' were supported, implicitly perhaps, by passages of scripture. As we have grown in knowledge and wisdom, the Spirit has revealed more truths to us just as Jesus did in his time. I don't think anyone in Jesus' time could fathom even the concept of particle physics. Yet little atoms and particles are known fact and they attest to the complexity of creation and the magnificence of God.

     The clues to God's creation and his design for us can be seen all around us. That is one source of the Spirit's revelation. Another is Holy Scripture. We need to have our eyes wide open to truly discrern God's presence, his message. In terms of scripture reading, we need to be incredibly careful in discerning the meanings of what has been written. We can become arrogant at best when we attest firmly to the meanings of single sentences or passages.

    I will use an example of an old letter written by my great Grandmother. It spoke of a birthday party held in her honor. In those days 'snail mail' was the rule and an art. Remember that, her time was different than our time. She wrote of everyone being gay and lots of coke being passed around to the guests. One might take that a bit differently these days but it was quite innocent and the words meant different things in her time.  There was no chance that she meant everyone was homosexual, lesbian and high on cocaine.

   Th truths of scripture must also be judged with a keen eye.  It is wrong to take simple minded translations away from scripture.  After all, it was a different time, different standards, foreign traditions and most of all, totally different languages. Note the original texts of Aramaic or Hebrew and the ensuining translations into Greek, Latin and English. Each had it's own keen definitions and meanings. We have no universal translotor as Star Trek does. We need to know everything to evaluate, interpret and see the meanigs intended for scripture. Translation is a science, several sciences in fact.

    The hidden meanings and word of God is still being revealed. Anyone who attests to the absolute value and meaning of a section of scripture, let alone a single line is being disingenuous.

     I mention this because I will be delving into specific issues and translations that may be part of a daily reflection in future blogs. I want everyone to understand, learn, where I am coming from. I want us all to be reminded that the Spirit is alive, God's love, wisdom and knowledge still being revealed.  Humanity as well as each one of us individually are on a journey to wholeness, the truth and wisdom of God's love is still unfolding for all of us like a flower not yet fully blossomed.

   Look sharp, LISTEN and grow.