Preparation for the Revelation of Christ

'Preparation' for many of our significant events immediately orients towards 'confessions' - often ritualistic and routine. Preparation cannot be simply like a 'housecleaning' before such events. It is not simply a regret over failures, it needs to be our efforts for a sinless environment. It is needed on a personal level having an inner disposition - a heart cleared of resentment and indifference and in a communal atmosphere where we as families or communities free ourselves from toxicity and hypocrisy. Thus we make sure that we don't provide space where sin thrives. 

A moralist demand is often considered as the radical and prophetic call for holiness. It serves only an immediate adjustment, an adherence to laws because of the guilt or because of the fear of punishment. The honest desire to know and love Christ is the source and power for an environment of grace. 

Christ gives us the freedom because his love is liberating and lifegiving. Similarly, preparing ourselves truly involves having the strength to walk away from undue dependencies, and placing a healthy and graceful guard over ourselves. There is a risk that some 'overly spiritual' may call us 'unloving,' or 'filled with pride.' Here, refusing to serve their interest is really a resistance against evil, because their 'being spiritual' is a manipulative dynamic that simply uses others for their benefit. True spiritual freedom refuses to bow to guilt-creation or toxic expectations. Having healthy guards actually enables us to love freely without resentment.

Further, it makes a necessary environment to love beyond our grudges, revenge, jealousy, and divisive boundaries. "I have no problem with anyone" does not mean that one loves. Love is a deliberate choice every moment, every day - a conscious and continuous effort sustained by grace whereby we may slowly form an environment of grace and life. It is not grown on moral frames, but on truth, love and justice. That will be the preparation for the 'revelation of Christ': Christ being revealed for us, and through us.

Too sure where the Kingdom of God is?

If we have missed the kingdom of God, it is because we were too sure of where the kingdom of God is. 

Where is the kingdom of God? See there! There (only there) God's anointing rests. That is the truth (only truth). That is true faith. Without any doubt, that is God. The announcement of the kingdom, however, was precisely about breaking this kind of rigid certainty. It broke down boundaries safe within exclusive walls - and it was necessary to break them in love. When we are too certain about the kingdom, truth, and God, they can turn idols without even our knowledge. Holiness can be easily a privilege of the hypocrites.

Perhaps what we really miss is the heart and mind of Christ to understand the presence of the kingdom, truth, faith, and God. If we don't have the heart and mind of Christ, these may be deformed by biases and power equations, ideological rigidity, and spiritual pride.

Gratitude - Empty and Rich

Gratitude is not simply 'thank you' in words, nor is it in some symbols of flowers or gifts though they may be meaningful. Gratitude orients one's life towards the giver in reverence, and to the needy in kindness. Gratitude sprouts in freedom, and does not ask for slavish submissiveness, and aims for the growth of the receiver.

In religion, gratitude is not about saying 'thank you' repeatedly. God receives gratitude, not in our 'show-off' piety but in what we have made gracefully out of what we have received. A gratitude that wells up with enormous feeling towards God and makes us happy, but does not open our hearts to the needy is not the gratitude God desires.

Often, romanticised spirituality only serves to guard our own hypocrisy and injustice. A wonderland experience of what we prefer to do and practice, justified by our thinking about god and what may please him, often reflects our celebration of pride elitism and 'higher' holiness. We may construct the meaning for 'surrender' and 'sacrifice' accordingly.

Spirituality is not about thrilling emotions (even suffering can be a willful thrill for some, self accusation and being tortured under guilt can be soothing for some) while leaving the conscience untouched is merely self-indulgence in religious dress.

God's image on Caesar's Coin?

The debate over the taxes to Caesar begins with an attempt to trap Jesus. The Herodians and the pharisees come with a compliment to Jesus that Jesus was truthful and did not mind man’s ranks. To the question of paying taxes to Rome, he points to a coin. A coin is for transactions, whether it be in the public space or in a religious space. In both it can be a sign of political power. The coin had the impression of Tiberius Caesar, claiming divine authority, ‘Son of the Divine Augustus.’ Economic taxes had to be paid in these coins. The temple had its own coins for religious purposes. A man’s rank also like a coin, can be brought to a value of exchange, and it was evident with Pilate and Herod.

God, or what belongs to God, or our own belonging to God cannot be transactional; it is not a give and take relation. Yet, these very things with religious interpretations can be bearing power symbols. The relationship between God and humanity is defined by a covenantal love; “I belong to you, and you belong to me.” It is something that we need to bring to our heart that this relationship is unconditional, and we are marked by the impression of this covenant. This love continues even when we fail; and despite our falls, God desires the same love be there towards God instead of being filled with fear or guilt. Regarding what really belongs to God, pointed to mercy and sincere devotion: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13), “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:30).

 When we understand our faith and devotion similar to give and take style in economic dealing, it distorts grace into a transaction. When we take faith as a transaction, we stamp Caesar’s impression onto the things of God. “Return to Caesar what belongs to Ceaser and return to God what belongs to God” is a warning not to mix these two.  Jesus objected to such legalistic and transactional understanding.

In many devotional practices, there is often a temptation to use Caesar’s coin instead of what belongs to God. If our praying, sacrifices, devotions are with the purpose that God may give blessings as a return, we are attempting to buy divine favour or merit. Holiness becomes an exchange rate. When a person’s spiritual worth, or moral purity is evaluated based on social standing, donations, or political alignment, religion becomes commodified. Is it not a spiritual commercialism? Holiness is not about accumulating spiritual capital or rank, but about being in God’s love like a child and responding with trust. In many of our personal religious teachings on holiness, faithfulness, and devotion, what lies behind is our selfishness, greed and crave for power with beautiful impression of God.

The tax to Caesar was not a contribution to the society it was a sign of piety to the emperor and the Roman rule. Though there may not be a God-image, sacrality/purity is often attached to economic and political interests and create chaos. When political ideologies, national identity, or social ranks wrap themselves in the mantle of religion and divine sanctity, they create an idol. The divine authority, Holy scripture, or religious symbols become instruments legitimize, enforce, and expand political control. There may be megaevents of dances, worship, processions in the name of God. These events intended to polarise power only secularise and materialise religion. Finally we are left with the coin of Caesar though we thought that we want to worship God. A leader, empire, or certain views may be taught as a mandate from God, and consequently any dissent may be seen as a rebellion against the empire and against God. It attributes divinity to a temporal power, and distorts what is truly Godly, just, and holy.

When the high socio-economic status or political power is sacralized as though the divine favour rests on them, it alienates the vulnerable, the poor and marginalized. The coin turns to be of less worth, there is a curse on them. The lower strata must exhaust themselves to be find favour in a divinised society. The impression of blessedness was offered to them when the gospel was announced by Jesus. But, if they claim the freedom of the children of God, they may be viewed as treason or apostasy.

With an honest heart, bring before God the coin we have. See clearly what impressions they have got and their true intentions. Do they affirm your dignity as the children of God? Do you feel the freedom or the weight of power when you hold the coin? 

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