Word to the Wise
Monday, September 26, 2011 - Monday in the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
[Zech 8:1-8 and Luke 9:46-50,1079]Thus says the Lord of hosts: Even if this should seem impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people, shall it in those days be impossible in my eyes also, says the Lord of hosts?
One of my overarching comprehensive oversimplified ways of understanding how people look at the world is a division between "probability" folks and "possibility" folks! The "probability" folks are more likely to be very cautious and past experience oriented (I'm pretty much in that category!). The "possibility" folks are those who are open to neThiw experiences and more willing to take risks! Since I believe the world needs both kinds, I have often spent a lot of pastoral time encouraging "possibility" folks to live their dreams and encouraging "probability" folks to stand firm in their convictions!
All of this was "triggered" by the line from Zechariah in today's first scripture which is quoted above. There were plenty of people in Zechariah's time who believed that it would be impossible to reorganize the returning exiles and get the temple rebuilt and the nation restored! Zechariah brings a word from God that says, "I am not bound by your probabilities! The restoration is going to happen!" It did happen but perhaps not the way old memories recalled or new dreams envisioned. The temple was rebuilt but the glory of David and Solomon's days remained a story to be told rather than a reality to be enjoyed.
Predicting what God will or will not do is not the same as saying what God can or cannot do, but either activity reflects our expectations and hopes and not necessarily God's! However, I would be very hesitant to ever use the word "impossible" in God's regard. Then again, that's the "probability person" in me! AMEN