November 14, 2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1.27)

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans. They think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Believe this, our Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6.7-8)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Remembering the contrast of the spectrum of those present when Jesus was teaching on the mount[ainside], the diversity is apparent and poignant in His teaching on prayer. Prayer is intended to be “the voice” of righteousness, the “tongue” of faith which mortal man uses to speak with God (in supplication) and about God (in mediation). When I say “voice,” I am alluding more to how the word is used in grammar. Such “voice” speaks of the condition of the verb (such as active, passive and middle). Jesus addresses “the voice” of prayer as it is uttered by the hypocrites (the elders, Pharisees, teachers of the Law, Scribes and Temple leadership) and by the pagans (those who profess a faith expression different from that of Judaism). His major consideration is how prayer reflects upon “the voice” of the one who is praying.

If the “voice” is more about nouns that verbs, then it is a voice that has a limited hearing. Jesus says to the hypocrites, “your voice is based on WHERE you are praying.” You see, they put themselves in positions of visibility. The purpose was to be known as “righteous by assumption.” Those prayers were “effective” because they were in the right place, at the right time and in the right manner. But, were they truly effective? James says (5.16) “The prayer of a righteous person avails much.” I wonder how many people clamored to gain that very spot once that “righteous person” left their prized position. I can even see them straightening their clothes and assuming a profound posture as well as use a distinctive cadence and vocabulary. As to their effectiveness, Jesus merely points out in the presence of all, “They receive the reward they expected.” What was the real expectation? Jesus might point out “those with eyes to see saw it for what it was worth” and “those with ears to hear heard it for what it was worth.” What was it? It was a “Look at me, I am what you are not!” Consequently, they made sure that their offering given was from such a stature as to create the greatest sound…cha-ching.

But, today’s reflection sees what Jesus said to “the pagans.” He may well be speaking “to the rest of us,” but most certainly those who were not of the Jewish faith experience. What was their voice? Their “voice” was that of many words. It was not so much about verbs of action or even promise which highlighted their offerings to their “God.” No, it was about nouns and synonyms of those nouns. It was about how many of them could be said. In English and Communications classes, instructors would warn of “fluff.” Fluff was the stuff writers used, skilled and unskilled, in order to make a paper or speech longer. It probably included a few adjectives, adverbs and prepositional phrases so as to expand the “metaphor.” Even today, we could ask what is “the Meta” for but to post words in volume to be seen and heard or at least give the appearance of seeing and being heard. Jesus says “Let’s cut to the chase. When you pray, say what is needed, need what is said and know that God already is aware. He desires only that you are aware of it, too, and believe that He knows and will provide.” Okay, that is a broad paraphrase. Yes, the focus of His voice is simple: verbs, one proper noun, honesty and faith.

Do we dare evaluate and form our own prayers with that rubric? Can we discipline ourselves to be so on point and specific in our “voice” so that our righteousness is seen before God (who knows what we do in secret without spying eyes) and before people (who then are witness to prayer in action). Isn’t that the true voice of righteousness and prayer? Quickly go back to when Jesus challenged the process of redemption in the Temple courts. I even think the titling of the event “Jesus Clears the Temple” was a media hype. Jesus didn’t clear the temple. He turned over tables. He upset “apple carts.” He set prisoners free (animals meant for sacrifice). He distributed to the poor (the money on those tables scattered across the floor). He reduced all of them to the same level (they all scrambled on the Temple court patio to collect what was “theirs.”) He formed a whip and cracked it over their heads with no greater intention than to draw attention to Himself. He had to because the people were more focused on “the money” than the message. He then “cleared the air” about the authentic purpose and righteous voice which was to be uttered in that place. For Jesus, that voice was not heard nor spoken in what He called “My Father’s House is not a den of thieves but intended to be a House of Prayer!” Do you want to count the number of verbs that were highlighted in His action and His speech that afternoon? And I suggest to you that it was a much a prayer, that declaration, as it was a conviction of those who should have been praying there. Instead, they were “preying” there on the innocent, the foreigner, the desperate. And that, mighty ones of God is all about verbs. I dare say, we need that voice again today in all the courts of the land. Shalom.

PRAYER IN LIGHT OF GOD’S WORD:

Father, You have revealed to us best in Jesus the Christ. By Him and Him alone shall we gain the eternal life and our place in eternal rest, living for You always. Show us more and by Your Holy Spirit instruct us in the way we should go, the truth we should reveal and the life we shall live with you forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.