June 30, 2023 – B

The saving grace about Jesus'
abject--perhaps even deliberate--
inconsistency, ambiguity, self-contradiction, obtuseness-- 
is that it recognizes/exhibits/declares/expresses
the essential nature of life, 
of living,
beyond absolutes
in each situation as it arises.

What is right,
what is good,
what is wrong,
what is evil,
shifts and changes
from moment to moment,
from situation to situation,
and we cannot say/know
what should be done
always and forever no matter what
contingencies may develop in the future,
even the near future,
that we cannot possibly anticipate
here and now.

We do not know what we will do when.
What is important now
may not be important then.

Things change over time,
and we have to be able to do
what needs to be done
in each situation as it arises
in light of what is called for 
in that situation--
and not imposed upon the situation
as that which is to be done
always and forever in every situation
regardless of prevailing circumstances.

We have to be free to determine what is important
and live in its service
here and now
regardless of what has gone on before,
or what the ramifications may be
for future situations.

"Here we are, NOW what?"
Is always the pertinent question,
with each NOW standing apart
from every other NOW,
with needs peculiar to itself,
and our being called upon
to read the times
and do what they are asking of us,
no matter what,
anyway,
nevertheless,
even so.

That is the way Jesus did it,
in honor of the spirit
"that is like the wind,
blowing where it will."

And it is the legacy he leaves us,
calling us to have the courage
to live out of our own authority
in doing what needs to be done,
here/now,
always and forever.  

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