Lent - Day 31 ( Black and White )

       I have committed sins, maybe even mortal sins, horrible sins and yet I know I am forgiven. I don't think this is some kind of arrogance on my part. This knowledge is derived from several things that God has revealed. Of all the stories of Scripture, old and new, of all

 the things that Jesus said and did, I know that our vision is not the same as God's.  God does not see things in only black and white. God does not share the same values we create as humans. Again, not black and white.  God's idea of forgiveness and all embracing love is far beyond our human comprehension. 

     In today's passage, Jesus again is challenging our human capacity to understand. In the telling, Jesus is letting us know that we actually are capable of thinking beyond black and white, right or wrong, all the definitive poles that we humans create in life. 

       Recently on a Gay Episcopalian page of FaceBook, there was a discussion of sorts based on the writing of a man I greatly admire. The man's name is Chris Glaser and he wrote about crucifixes. And the banter began, back and forth. Jesus is no longer on a cross, Jesus was only on the cross once and for all. Personally, if I see a crucifix, I don't really think Jesus is still on that cross. To me it is a rich reminder of what God has done for us - so long as it isn't some truly gory representation. I do prefer the one I pictured above - the risen Christ. The question is - why does it have to be either or? 

        For many years I felt I had a curse of sorts. I could hear both sides of an argument, I could see two seemingly opposing philosophies and see the value in each. I seemed to walk down the center line.  Much could be said for that I guess but there is great value in not seeing things as black or white.  I think God has much better vision than that.

        Perhaps we can view Lent like time well spent with an oculist. Expanding and improving our vision of everything and everyone around us.  We are trying to get our vision more aligned with the vision of our Creator who sees greatness and joy in everything and everyone. No one is more loved and no one is loved less. We are all magnificent purpose built creations. 

       For black and white, shadows, grays and rainbows we pray.

John 6:52-59

 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.