Thursday 12 April 2012

Background

I have always been impressed by the respect and regard withwhich Muslims handle and take care of the Qu'ran. A Muslim keepstheir Qu'ran on the top shelf of a bookcase. It is to be revered -a result of Islam's belief that the Qu'ran contains the literalword of God. Also impressive is their daily routine of prayer,which surely ensures that God(Allah) is always on theirminds.

This is the kind of devotional 'being' that is also beingcommanded, in today's passage, of the Israelites in regard to thetime, energy, commitment and seriousness with which they approachtheir faith and approach God. My Jewish friend writes to me: "Thecommand was only about ensuring that no yeast was eaten, and thatit was removed from the house. The custom goes much further. Aroundmidday before the first night of Passover (I don't know if it'suniversal among Jews) there is a hunt for crumbs - a springcleaning - with a feather and a candle, to go in every tiny corner... Eating and cooking utensils are changed - many people keep aseparate set of everything to change for Passover."

Everything is changed: every act, for this time, becomes somethingthat is special for God. Jews go the extra mile in gratitude forGod's salvation.

As Christians we talk about living by the Spirit, rather than bythe letter of the law. We are discouraged from getting tangled upin too many religious rules and regulations. Jesus points us to thefact that we will constantly fail in our efforts to keep to them.We are taught that we cannot be saved by works but only throughfaith in the grace of God (Romans3:21-25). So how then do we put in the extra effort if wecannot show it by firm attempts to follow God's rules as perfectlyas we can?

As Christians, the one command we have is to love (Matthew5:43-46), and to love as perfectly as we can - to love ourfamily, our friends, the misfit, our enemy. This is the 'law' orthe command that is to be on our hands, our foreheads and our lipsas followers of Christ.

How serious are you about your faith? Do you wear it on your hand,on your forehead - in your heart - for others to see, to recogniseand to experience? Does it affect the attitude you have to yourprayer time, to communion, to sharing the love and justice of Jesuswith all of those whom you meet in your daily living?

To Ponder

Do you agree that it is sometimes easier for usto see the spirituality in a faith other than our own? Why?

What helps you to remain constantly in God'spresence in your daily living?