Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Devotion - Wednesday, March 13

I am sure I have heard this quote before, but these words of Caesarius of Arles (470-542) really struck a chord with me this morning:

"For this world either laughs at us or is laughed at by us."

The line comes at the end of his encouragement to make the most of the 40 days of Lent.  These are days when the followers of Jesus are encouraged to "cut off the occupations of this world, (or) at least curtail them in part."  He speaks of spends a few hours each day reading or hearing the "divine lessons."

Anyone have an exam today?  Send an email to that professor announcing that you have decided to "cut off the occupations of this world"!  Ridiculous, right?

I am not advocating any action which puts in peril your academic career - but I will speak to you of the joy which comes from keeping that concern in alignment with the whole of your life and your self-understanding.  I am suggesting that you experience the stress differently, that you realize this is not the only thing which matters in your life or in the world.  Laugh - laugh at the world's insistence on what counts or what is important or what must be thought and/or done.

We are a laughable people - us followers of Jesus.  We believe things which are contrary to the messages of the world.  We do things which do not make good sense to those who live by the world's reason.  Let the world laugh at us!  We have found a way and an attitude which sets us free from the worries or concerns which overwhelm too many of our peers.  We will laugh at those rules and regulations which are designed to preserve structures and institutions which cannot give us the life or eternal life which comes by way of Messiah.

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