Advent Eight

 

Shibilis is the King of the Gypsies-
Painting by Luci Ferguson

Jesus is upsetting the order of things.  The bullies who run society are put out.  They are trying to control what is going on about them.  They are aware that they have a challenge on their hands.

Where Is Your Father?

Who is this 'Shibilis'?  (A tiresome purveyor of scaramuccia.) 

"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Yes, heard it before. 

On what authority does he speak?

What makes him think that this cryptic gibberish will please anyone?

What's so bad about darkness?  It's a part of life, part of the real world.

"I speak with the authority given by my father,” you say.

Your father... king of the Gypsies?

You say you were there before our 'ancient and sacred' law was written.

You say, 'with your father'.

You say that you are not here to pass judgement on us.

Why thank you very much, as your father is your witness...

"Where is your Father?"

(Who are you anyway?  And why do I not expect a straight answer?)

"Soon, I'll be gone.  I'm going were you cannot go."

(Mercy me, at last, good news - he'll top himself.)

"When the body is lifted up, the scales will fall.  All will know that I speak with complete authority.

Then what I am saying will make sense. My priority is to please my Father, We work together."

"Watch now guys - don't be taken in."

"Easy does it."

Jesus under attack.  Tested on all side.  

Who are friends? who foes?

These are provoking words.  What do I do about them?  If these words come to me under the umbrella of a ‘different’ religion, does this compromise their authority?  The fear here is that the underlining authority is actually not from the Creator at all, but perhaps has evil (or distracting) origins.  But what is Jesus saying?  His words are cryptic.  They point to a bigger picture.  Do I need to discover more?  Can I just forget about it?  Is it just ‘one of those passing discomforts?’

PRAYER - Let’s open ourselves to the voice of the Creator.  We can trust that we know the voice that loves and cares for us.