Words on the Word

The plan is, I’ll write my thoughts as they pertain to the day’s New Testament reading for Morning Prayer. But it’s not a one way street – when you comment on the writing, whether you like it, hate it, or are indifferent to it, you contribute to the conversation and a community is created where folks share their ideas and discuss their thoughts. That’s what I’d like this blog to be; a community.

Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021

Luke 10:17-24
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

It’s so easy to laugh at the disciples – this time, seventy of them! Once again, they got it wrong. We fail to be grateful that we live two thousand years after them; we have the benefit of the Church Fathers and the Doctors of the Faith. We have the benefit of good, solid, orthodox priests who lead us modern day disciples in the right direction because we are no different than the original disciples – we can get things backwards, too. Which is another reason that Bible study in a group, with a priest, is so important. Left to our devices, we can, and do, miss the point, misunderstand the intent, liken Scripture to modern life incorrectly. Being human, we can’t help but see through our own lens and come up short of understanding. Bible study helps to keep us on the straight and narrow.

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