In the first reading of today’s Eucharist there is a quote that really means a lot to me, “I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts.” In some circles in the United States these days there is a desire to post the Ten Commandments in public buildings and public areas. Many who propose such ideas are sure that we have removed God from our public discourse and therefore our lives. There are lots of mentions of God in our country. In God we trust is written on our currency. Public officials are sworn into office with their hand resting upon the Bible. Congress has a chaplain and sessions begin with a prayer. There is a great deal of public displays of God or so it would seem. Writing the law upon our hearts is a different or at least I think it is. It is the internalization of what God wants from me.
In our discussion of today’s homily which focused in part on this reading, Fr. Bob mentioned that the theologian, Karl Rahner has posited that religion of the 21st century and beyond will have a dichotomy. One side of the coin will be the atheists and the other will be the mystics. According to Rahner there will be little emphasis on dogma and theory. His comments reminded me of the quote from the fourth chapter of St. John’s Gospel, “the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” Peace.
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