"Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." Luke 20:46-47
The recognition that we are not "better than" and in fact should seek a self-fading transparency is critical to our calling:
"The apostles could not do everything. They did not dispense miraculous gifts upon all occasions, lest more should be ascribed to them than was right... For many things were permitted by God that the weakness of human nature might be manifested."
John Chrysostom, Homilies on II Timothy
It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus' sake. For the same God who said, "Out of darkness let light shine," has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of revelation—the revelation of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (appointed for use in the "Order for Evening," Book of Common Prayer 1979)
No comments:
Post a Comment