For as long as I can remember, I’ve said that I’m a “New Testament Christian.” That is not to say that I reject the teachings of the Old Testament; it is just less accessible to me. It is a naïve and simplistic view to lable it as “fire and brimstone”, and the New Testament as “grace”, but that simplistic description reveals the reason for my statement. Today’s two readings bear this out: in the former, fire and smoke engulf Mount Sinai while God’s people tremble, awaiting God’s word from Moses; in the second, Jesus affirms for his diciples that they’ve been blessed with the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus admits that he speaks in Parables to the people, as they are unable to “see or hear” the mysteries that the disciples have absorbed. Much of the passage relies on Isaiah’s prophesy that the people can look but not truly see, and hear but not truly understand, and as such have “gross” hearts. Reading that passage, I wonder if anyone else shares my suspicion that I fall into this group? There is so much that I don’t truly comprehend from Christ’s teaching, so much of God’s word that is difficult to absorb. Am I the person who doesn’t truly see, understand, and love God with my whole heart? Am I among those who will have everything taken away? Jesus told the disciples that many prophets and faithful people had fallen short in their attempts to do so - who am I to hope that I’m better than they?
Ahhh, but I’m a New Testament Christian, eager to believe in God’s Grace. So I’ll cling to the closing phrase from Isaiah’s prophesy:
“lest they see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their hearts and be converted
and I heal them.”
My prayer today is to ask that God continue, always, to open wide my heart, my eyes, and my ears, that I may be truly converted and healed. That I may one day know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. And as importantly for this Christian, that I would live them out in my daily life on earth, sharing light and love with all people. Amen.
Kimberly Grassmeyer
I’ve been an educator at the postsecondary level for nearly 40 years – both as a Higher Education administrator in Student Affairs work, and as a part-time faculty member – at Creighton University and several other mid-western schools. In the midst of that time, I also worked as a consultant to universities across Canada, the United States and Mexico. It is my honor to be closing out my professional life at Creighton, where my professional, personal and faith values dance together in an enriching partnership.
As a seeker and a sinner I am wholly imperfect, which is to say I am the human that God created me to be. My faith is often quite strong; at other moments it is shaken to its core. I am not a scholar of the Bible nor do I consider myself to be faithful enough or wise enough to lead others in their faith journey…. which is why (apparently) my gracious colleagues believe that I may have something of value to say to the other seekers in the world! I hope that my thoughts and provocations may in some measure provide perspective, pause, laughter, grace, and some peace to you.
