The Word is Very Near to You

AM Psalm 61, 62 • PM Psalm 68:1-20(21-23)24-36
Deut. 30:11-20 • 2 Cor. 11:1-21a • Luke 19:1-10

When you know you are completely loved, completely safe and completely accepted, you are free to be who you are. You can live non-defensively—openly and generously. Zacchaeus is a great model. An ironic model, yes. He is a tax collector—hated for his cooperation with the occupying Roman invaders to oppress his Jewish neighbors.

Yet, in some sense, Zacchaeus fulfills what the law says today in Deuteronomy. “Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away…. No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.” Zacchaeus did not have to struggle or debate to decide what to do, what was right for him. He responded to his heart’s deepest direction. He knew intuitively what was good, and he chose it.

In every given moment, we can sense within our heart and intuition what is called for. The 19th century spiritual director Jean Pierre de Caussade says that each present moment carries with it the demands and opportunities of that moment. It can only one be three things: 1. to do some present duty; 2. to enjoy some present joy; 3. to suffer something that is necessary. Pretty simple.

If we know ourselves to be completely loved, safe and accepted, we can be free of guilt, fear or compulsion in our choice. We can choose spontaneously and generously whatever the moment brings to us. Whenever we choose that way, Caussade says we are completely within the will of God, cooperating fully with what God is doing for the healing of the world; we are doing all within our power to promote God’s reign right now in the present moment. Caussade says it doesn’t get any better than that.

Written by Lowell Grisham

Lowell is looking forward to being back in the pews at St. Paul’s as he anticipates finishing some service to nearby congregations.