Morning Devotion for the Season after Pentecost
November 22, 2021
C.S. Lewis
The Invitatory
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's Name be praised.
Reading: John 16:7-15
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Meditation: Jo Ann B. Jones
Late one evening, at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, two Marines are arrested for assaulting and killing a fellow Marine of their unit. The investigation leads to the question of whether a Code Red had been ordered that resulted in the murder. In that famous scene from “A Few Good Men,” here is the memorable interrogation of Colonel Jessup concerning the ordering of Code Red.
LTJG Kaffee: Colonel Jessup! Did you order the Code Red?
Judge Randolph: You don’t have to answer that question!
Col Jessup: I’ll answer the question. You want answers?
LTJG Kaffee: I think I’m entitled to them.
Col. Jessup: You want answers?
LTJG Kaffee: I want the truth!
Col. Jessup: You can’t handle the truth!
Col Jessup is an angry, belligerent Marine who cannot abide weakness in the face of the duty that he takes very seriously. He has no respect for the rule of law or others’ weakness he believes is what is crippling him in his effort to protect the United States and the discipline and mission of the Marines.
It seems part of human nature to shy away from, fail to recognize or deny what is the truth. Reality can be overwhelming to us. Sometimes it’s easier to look away, develop some other explanation for what is before us or put it out of our minds. This does not prevent whatever the consequences from being realized. We are less equipped to handle them, thus multiplying the adverse effect that may result. We grow weaker and weaker in our ability to life fully as a consequence. Denial or abdication of responsibility can be a short-term gain for a very large long term loss. We fail our families, friends, neighbors and community for this irresponsible response. The effects may be long term and borne unequally by those who are affected but had no role or responsibility.
By contrast, Jesus is profoundly engaged in the care of his disciples. On this night before his crucifixion he has spent a long time speaking about who he is and who God is. He is quite mindful of his disciples inability to understand fully the reality of which he speaks. How many times in his teaching them have they failed to grasp the reality presented to them, let alone the lesson he teaches? Nonetheless, it is critically important that they listen carefully now. He depends upon them to continue as his disciples after his resurrection and ascension. Still, though he is mindful of their shortcomings, their loose grasp of reality and incomplete understanding of all that he has revealed to them in their time together. In his very careful and caring manner he tells them that forgiveness of sins cannot be realized unless he “goes away” and that in order for them to carry out this ministry the Advocate will assist them.
C. S. Lewis was an effective explainer and defender of the Christian faith through his many books and essays. He tried to make a point of avoiding disputes on matters where Christians disagree, and defending those beliefs which they hold in common. His work was valued by many Christians of widely differing backgrounds.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
