Friday, 28 November, 2003

We begin with a piece from “Ethics” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.



…”the doer shall be blessed in his/her doing” (James 1:25)

The doer is here the (person) who simply knows of no other possible attitude to the word of God when he has heard it than to do it; who therefore continues to concern (one’s)self strictly with the word itself and does not derive from it a knowledge for (one’s)self on the basis of which s/he might become the judge of his/ brother/sister, of (one’s)self, and eventually also a judge of the word of God.



To use the word as a weapon…as part of an arsenal to use against others – quite like a weapon is always a possibility. Therefore, we must be careful and prayer-full. The word is meant to be life…not a tool we use to cut down, beat down, put down and abuse others. When we use the word to judge others, we forget all about the promise for new life that comes with the word and we simply use it for our own benefit. The word, remember, is never for my benefit or the benefit of my side or my people. It is a word that builds up and sustains and liberates all people…for the welfare of all.



Connection: The more we can flow from hearing the liberating word and stepping right into its life, the more we can look forward to the journey of this day. Go for it.



O God, be our guide. Let your word bring us life. May we be moved to begin to dance within the great ballroom of your feast and promise that knows no end for then we will share in the power of your word and all things will indeed change. Amen.