RBWords

 

     The early Christian community took awhile to understand fully the meaning of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. However, the words in the first scripture today are considered by scripture scholars to have been a "hymn" that may have been in liturgical use within thirty years after Jesus' death!  These words show that the community had gone well beyond the experience of the Jewish milieu of Palestine where Jesus lived and died.  Jesus, in this hymn, is presented in an almost "cosmic" way as "firstborn of all creation," and "firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might be preeminent....."   That is a very broad vision!

 

     The rich tradition of spirituality that is available to us from scripture and tradition stretching 2000 years offers images of Jesus that go from the earthy healer/preacher of the Gospel of Mark to the "cosmic" visions of the Prologue to the Gospel of John, the hymn today from Colossians and the Book of Revelation!  We have much to choose from in our reflection.  What is important is that we do that reflection and not settle for simply going to church on the weekend.  The life of prayer can deepen our understanding of the "mystery" of Christ and how "all things hold together in him."  It only takes a moment if only we'll take that moment!  AMEN