October 26, 2003
Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 10:46-52
What a conclusion to the Book of Job! Job concluded that whoever or whatever God is, the human mind cannot comprehend God and therefore must always be searching for more knowledge concerning the nature, ways, and goals of God. "....I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know....I will question you, and you declare to me."
Religious understanding applied to every aspect of life with a process of mutual two-way sharing and informing, ought to be among the most invigorating and exciting aspects of life. This kind of religious interaction with life ought to be the ultimate goal of our endeavors with the realization that there is never an end to our quest. It is as though we reach the summit of one range of mountains only do discover that there is still another in the distance.
The philosophical aspects of the Book of Job are harmonious with the challenges of our modern world. They are applicable on the both the micro and macro levels of human experience. When applied, these philosophical values inform and rewared human life on both the individual and "family" level.
The author of Hebrews, in following the analogy of Jesus as high Priest, cites a belief that, different from other High Priests, Jesus represents perfection in every regard. Among the wonderful aspects of a search for "who Jesus was" and how he viewed himself in relation to his personal mission is the fact that we don't know much about him in comparison with what there is to know. This fact makes it possible to interpret and expand what we have been told to the point of creating an image of human perfection. We then can seek to follow this perfect image in the expression of our own lives. This approach to Jesus can also result in an endless search. For every challenging situation we can consider how we believe a perfect human being, i.e. Jesus, might respond. Common sense tells us clearly that we never reach perfection but even though we continually "fall short" there is virtue in the effort. The process of progress is thus nudged along as Jesus becomes, not a High Priest who relieves us of personal responsibility, but a mentor who inspires us to an eternally unfolding search for improvement in the experience and expression of our lives.
Among the goals of the Gospel of Mark was that of emphasizing the perceived supernatural powers of Jesus. Not only did this enable the leader of this new sect of Judaism, i.e. new religion, to compete well with leaders of other religions, but it also emphasized the power of Jesus in the minds of his followers. Jesus was quick to admonish that faith was that which connected persons with the power of God. "Go your way" he said to the blind beggard, "your faith has made you whole".
Persons believed to have supernatural powers to heal are often viewed as "special" by those needing that kind of demonstration in their religious faith. We do not know to what extent Jesus facilitated healing in his ministry, but we do know that there is power in optimism and positive thinking. Clearly there are major problems with turning to religion for mental or physical health. Healthy religion can contribute to whole health in human beings. It is sad that so much mental illness has its roots in or is aggrevated by religious beliefs. Mental illness often creates ill affects on the body as well. If religion was really a major source for healing mind or body, we would have many more people visiting our chapels for healing and there would be no professional practitioners of healing for either the mind or the body. God must therefore exercise power in healing more depending in ways other than through religion. The present national concern about Medicare is testimony to that!
The point of progress to which I direct your attention is in understanding that the human body wants to heal itself. We have learned much, and have much more to learn about how to help it in that task. Nevertheless, finding ways to assist the body and the mind in healing is a major professional endeavor in our day and a very beneficial one at that. This stands as another major example of how the work of God is exemplified through a process. Becoming a skilled nurse, diagnostician, surgeon and anyone else involved in health care is a long and arduous process of learning, experience, and discipline. How thankful we can be that there are those in a variety of disciplines who understand this in practice even if their religious belief system has not yet evolved to the point of embracing the obvious.
How wonderful are the ways of God, and how wonderful it is that we are created in a manner which enables us to work with God in this process of being about "whatever it is that God is about"!