If Jesus were alive today, this is what he would say of Christians, “I was hungry, and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.” Really! A Jewish proverb says, “Don’t be wise in words—be wise in deeds.”
The story is told of four scholars who were arguing over the beauty and accuracy of various Bible translations. One scholar argued for the King James Version, citing its beautiful, eloquent old English. The second scholar advocated for the American Standard Bible. He cited its literalism, the way it moved a reader from passage to passage with confident feelings of accuracy from the original texts.
The third scholar said he preferred the New Jerusalem Bible. He praised it as being readable and accurate, noted for its literary style and its use of the Divine Name YHWH instead of LORD, and it introduces some modest inclusive language. For him, it is a wonderful starter study Bible. After giving thought to each of the lengthy and heartfelt arguments presented, the fourth scholar said, “Frankly, I have always preferred my mother’s translation.” Knowing that his mother was not a Bible translator, nor a scholar, the other three chuckled and said, “No, seriously….!” The man stood his ground. “I stand by my claim,” he said. “My mother translated each page of the Bible into life. And it was the most convincing translation I have ever seen. It is the translation that I preach.”
Many of us who are Christians can recite Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” but few know the Shepherd.” It’s not enough to just know the content of the Bible – its stories, its sayings, and its teachings. Unless you know the author, the Bible is nothing more than just another book. But when you put your faith in Jesus Christ and have entered into a personal relationship with God the Father, the Bible and Christianity truly become “living and active – sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12).
St Francis of Assisi once invited a novice to go with him to a nearby village to preach a sermon. The young monk quickly agreed, seizing an opportunity to hear his teacher speak. When they arrived at the village, St Francis of Assisi began to visit with the people. First, he called in to see the butcher, then the cobbler, then a short walk to the home of a woman whose husband had died recently. After that, a stop at the school to interact with the teachers and children, and this continued all morning.
After some time, St Francis of Assisi told his disciple it was time to return to the monastery. However, the student who was perplexed could no longer hide his emotion and said to his teacher: “But we came to preach, and we haven’t preached a sermon as yet.” “Haven’t we, asked Francis? “See, people have watched us, listened to us, and responded to us. Every word we have spoken; every deed we have done is a sermon. We have been preached all morning. What were you doing all this while with me?” No wonder it is recorded that St Francis of Assisi said, “Preach without ceasing. If you must, use words.” How powerful and enriching it would be if we could truthfully say to our significant others, Do as I say and do what I do. Unfortunately, many of us would fail that honesty test even though we know how important it is to live with integrity.
Don’t be wise in words—be wise in deeds. If you want to know what somebody believes, don’t listen to what they say—watch what they do. Wise advice, I think. This week I am watching you carefully and so you must also do me good by watching my every step. However, let’s be gentle with our criticisms because what we may see so easily in the other is often a reflection of what’s in us.
May your week not be weak but with Him. I send you my prayerful wishes for the week. (By Fr. Ray®acc.GH)
