July 12, 2020, Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7b; Luke 2:39-52 – Post 2 – ISSL Reflections


.Who’s listening? Who’s talking?

You can find this week’s Scripture at –
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+3%3A1%2C+7b%3B+Luke+2%3A39-52&version=NRSV

VI.
Here is a 12 year old boy sitting with the Rabbis. Is he in the background, on the sidelines. How long is he there before the Rabbis notice him? And when they do, what do they say?

“Who are you young man? What are you doing here? This is a place for learned men, not children. What do you have to say for yourself?

Then, did Jesus ask a question about what they were discussing? How do they respond? Do they answer his question? Then turn the tables on him and ask him a question? Maybe, partially, or even wholly, in jest? To embarrass him? To see what he will say? Or, maybe some present want to know if he is paying attention? If he has any idea of what is going on? How important their discussions are?

And then what does Jesus say?

We don’t know? We only know he impresses those present with his answers and understanding and probably even with the questions he asks.

V.
What about us?

Do we think what we discuss is so important and “deep” only a few can understand? Just us enlightened ones?

What of the new person in the class or study group or congregation? Do we in one way or another keep them on the sidelines since they couldn’t be up to handling such a deep discussion with us? Understanding how “spiritual” we are?

Does our arrogance keep others out and keep us insulated in our little private discussions and worlds?

When will trust that the Spirit of God blows where it wills? That we have something to learn from the Wisdom of others? Even those we might call “simple.”

Charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


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