New students at Hogwarts School of Magic are assigned to one of the four houses– Gryffindor, Slitherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw –by the discernment of the Sorting Hat. It may simplify the old question of “Who Am I”; I wish I had one of those hats! Scriptures for this weekend address the concept of Discernment, and may help us affirm Who Jesus Is and, on the way, Who WE Are.
Isaiah of Babylon speaks to the remnant of Israel in Exile. These are conflicted folks: the elders are nostalgic for “the old ways, the old country”, their memories polished and gladdened by the passing of years; and a newer generation accustomed to the relative glitz and glamor of the metropolis. “Listen to ME”, Yahweh calls (Isaiah 51: 1,4). Those who pursue righteousness will see justice as a beacon to all nations. A beacon is a non-moving light mounted on a recognizable location which re-established direction when clouds confuse the traveler. Despite the storm, Yahweh’s salvation will be forever, “and my deliverance will never be ended.”(v.6)
St. Paul calls the exiles among his contemporaries to “be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God–what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) This discernment of God in our midst will lead to non-conformity: standing for ethical integrity when everyone else is being naughty. This can be tough: discernment probably will set us up against friends and neighbors, family and peers. Psalm 138 reminds us that “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.”
“[Jesus] asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do YOU say that I am?'” (Matthew 16:13-15) Well?? Much of the “secular” world affirms Jesus as teacher & healer, some as a true prophet–but do you really claim that he’s the CHRIST, Immanuel, God With Us? As Peter makes this Credo on behalf of the Church through the ages, Jesus reminds him and us that such discernment is heaven-sent alone.
In the noise of Babylon, we need a Sorting Hat to separate the useful from the profane. Even better, God’s persistent call –and invitation –reassures each pilgrim that the Faith Community is larger than we often think; and that a Holy Presence IS discernible however deep the valley.
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My thoughts about Scripture assigned for the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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