Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:1
Moses called out to all Israel, saying to them: “Israel! Listen to the regulations and the case laws that I’m recounting in your hearing right now. Learn them and carefully do them…”
Thought for the Day: A lot of what Moses presented as “regulations” and “case laws” that “Israel was to learn and carefully do” are items that most people would generally support. At the same time, there are certain items found in scripture that were culturally or historically bound. Some of those, we can determine why it might have made sense centuries before Jesus, but others can even leave scholars scratching their heads. Alvin Toffler, who died not long ago, was a journalist in the area of technology. He wrote, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” I am wonderfully challenged by Toffler’s words, for though unlearning is hard and uncomfortable, it is often necessary for people who yearn to both be faithful and relevant. Let’s be clear – being relevant is not the same as conformity or blind obedience to the culture of the moment. At the same time, to ignore the amazing discoveries of science while following blindly a god stuck in history is not faithfulness. The living Spirit of Christ meets us in every moment – meets us with the one truth that stretches across time and space: Unconditional love and mercy.
Prayer: As I build my faith on the amazing voices of the past, O God of All Generations, allow me to listen and to be obedient to your Spirit who continues to speak. Amen.
