"What kind of book is this?" Such a question cannot be answered without taking into account the very peculiar claims that have been made for the Bible by Christians, Jewish and even Muslim believers: claims which, to many modern (men), are outrageous. Claims that this book is unlike any other, and the (man's) very destiny depends on it.
We cannot understand anything about the Bible unless we face the fact that these claims are made seriously, and that the outrage taken at them is also fully serious. Neither can be discounted. It is of the very nature of the Bible to affront, perplex and astonish the human mind. Hence the reader who opens the Bible must be prepared for disorientation, confusion, incomprehension, perhaps outrage.
The book we say we turn to so much for comfort must be the book that also tears us a part. It tears us apart because whenever we read it, we are being confronted with ourselves. That is not always the best thing to see clearly as we can be a self-indulgent people who live under the guise of being a wonderful and loving people. Within our adventures into the reading of scripture, we also begin to meet up with our God and the life into which we are invited to make our own. Then again, the Bible brings us that story over and over again from the Jewish scriptures through the Christian scriptures. And yet, no matter who brings the invitation to come and follow, this history of those who are found in the stories and the ones who read them is the same...we always have a better way - or so we think. At a retreat this weekend, one of the participants talked about being a people who understand that our hearts will be broken as we take part in the community of saints. They will be broken because we will continue to see the vision of the Reign of God and we will be invited to face up to what has been winning our hearts. It is then that our hearts may be broken. What we will must break so that the will of our God will be our home and our life. Then again, our hearts keep breaking because we so quickly and in many and various ways turn again from the life of the vision of God's Reign. Broken hearts are good...as is confusion at times or disorientation or, as Merton suggests, outrage.
Connection: Might I offer the most obvious connection. Stay connected to this book that holds promises and offers heart breaking adventures through which we all must travel again and again as we are handed the gifts of God's Reign.
Come O Light that shines as a beacon that opens up our path and a light that brings sight into the ordinary movements of our Day. Come and help us to see the gift of your blessed Reign and the ways your Word presents each day to us as a gift. Amen.
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