20 September 2005

From the rite of "Welcome of Inquirers"

Eight times during this brief rite the sign of the cross is traced on a different body part. Following the mark on the forehead, the rite continues with a mark over the ears at which time this is said: Receive the cross on your ears, that you may hear the gospel of Christ, the word of life.

We are gifted to hear how the Christ enters this day and to see how that living presence sounds a contrary note alongside the many sounds around us. It would be way off the mark if we saw this hearing taking place only in the traditional places associated with the gospel of Christ - worship, bible study, and fellowship at church. The Good News -the gospel- comes to us through the lives of others. Sometimes, the words spoken by a friend or an enemy may be that sound of God's love that is pierced on the cross, dead and gone in the grave, and lifted up to life eternal. Blessed are those who hear the symphony of such an announcement even as we move through the common sounds and language of the day. We pray that this good news will be for the life of us. We pray that this life will be the life of the Christ, Jesus. Remember that it is quite easy to try to silence that word in all sorts of ways throughout the day. But like Jonah, who tried to run away from the voice of God, that voice will break in and we pray that our ears will be open to the way of life that is presented to us - even when it is not within the plans of our lives.

Connection: You may be surprised at how God's word of Love passes within hearing distance in this and other days. Then again, we are taught not to be surprised - but to be ready for each and every word and the life it has to offer. Listen up!

With you Word of Life, O Word Before Any Word is Sounded, we find that our day and its many voices are interrupted so that we are able to listen to all things through the resounding event of the good news of our Lord, Jesus. Pump up the word so that we might hear it in both the silent and noise filled parts of this day. Amen.