Friday, July 20, 2007

Today’s text

3 John 1:11a-12

“Whoever does what is good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. Everyone has testified favorably about Demetrius, and so has the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.”

Prayer

Who is this faithful soul to whom the truth and your beloved saints testify? Is he a community leader? Perhaps the messenger who carried this little letter into the congregation? Is he just one more faceless name in 20 centuries of those who have loved and hoped in you, dearest Jesus?

But he is not faceless is he, Holy Mystery? His faithfulness and care, his love and service shine with the crystalline illumination of your holy face, a face no one has seen.

Yet I have seen. We have seen you many times in the care and justice, love and peace of faithful souls alight with your wonder. Their faces shine in our hearts and memories. We have been loved into life by them, and through them we have received you, grace upon grace.

So if may, my Lord, let me speak to Demetrius and to all who now rest in paradise with you, enjoying that beatific vision that is yet denied me: Thank you for your faithful witness. Thank you that your lives shined with a love as ancient as eternity. Thank you that your flesh became for me the flesh of my friend and brother Jesus. Thank you.

And thank you, Loving Mystery, for taking flesh and soul in the lives of your beloved, from Demetrius through all generations, and in me. I, too, bear your wonder. Thank you. Amen.

Pr. David L. Miller