Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2016

2 Corinthians 3:12-16

 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Love is God’s name

The law came through Moses. The commandments ordered life for God’s people, as laws order the lives of societies to this day.

But rules do not give knowledge of God. Commandments cannot fill the heart or open the mind to see every sunrise and every breath of winter fresh air as gifts from the abundant heart of the Giver.

Only Love can do this. The eyes of the mind are open when the face of God is revealed as more human and loving than we could ever imagine. The face of Jesus, alight with warmth and welcome to the troubled and broken, whispers what our hearts need to know to live free and at peace.

But we cannot hear and enter freedom if our minds are fixed on reward and punishment, and so much misguided Christian religiosity operates with a reward and punishment model. Do good and you will be rewarded, if not here then in the hereafter.

Faith is not about knowing and following the right rules or obeying commandments Moses carried down Mount Sinai.

It is about trusting that Love is God’s name.

The face of Jesus opens our eyes to see every moment of life and every blessing as a gift from the One he reveals.

The Light from his face shines in so many others. It glistens in eyes of love and acceptance. It shimmers in the laughter that sparkles in the air around people who truly love each other.

And there, too, the Love that is from the beginning, the Love that shines in Jesus, the Love that breathes in every moment seeks to fill our hearts and open our minds … that we may know the Name.

Pr. David L. Miller