In a definition usually associated with preaching, but applicable to the total life of Christian witness, it is said that 'truth' is 'mediated through personality'. Truth is mediated through 'self'. Yet in the Lenten pattern this 'self' needs to be that which rises from its death caused by an encounter with the transformative 'Word'.
Lischer: 'The prophets are universally annihilated by a conversation with God, only to reappear as powerful individual performers of the word on God's behalf. They do not lack a sense of self', (The End of Words, p. 35)
Jesus: 'Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it'.
Paul: 'For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh'.
PRAYER:
Lord, in the embers of
annihilated self
May your killing Word
With resurrecting power
Bring to life...
'Me'.
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