I’ve been reading some sayings and the writing of the those often called the Fathers (and Mothers) in Christian tradition. These are people who, for the most part, lived many centuries ago. In the years since they lived, their words and writing and sermons have been rediscovered again and again, at times when it seems that large expressions of the Christian faith have wandered far from the teachings and character of Jesus Christ himself.
The faith that is found in their words is often much more hopeful than that which is often characterized as Christian faith today, at least in its public and political expression. There is consistent call to love even enemies, to not think highly of oneself, to be humble, to not make a show of spirituality or moralism. There is also a warning against seeing the world in terms of us and them.
Here is one brief example:
“Christ’s death on the cross is a judgment of judgment.”
-Maximus the Confessor (lived 580-662)
Maximus (oh, for a name like that), and others spoke about how God’s love is God’s judgment. Even judgment, to them, was hopeful because the incarnation and the taking on of all sin and death on the cross was the declaration that God is for us, not against us.
As we move into another year, we are faced with some of the difficult realities of the last few. The tendency to declare that the upcoming year will be great and terrific has diminished somewhat. I was thinking about this as I read these old words from people long since gone from this earth. We could use their hope today.
In what direction is humanity headed?
The response to that question from our current social, geopolitical and emotional position might well be, “the wrong one” or “towards more trouble and darkness”.
These ancient voices had more hope than that.
Here is Origen (lived 185-263) in a commentary on the book of Matthew:
“Every spiritual being is, by nature, a temple of God, created to receive into itself the glory of God.”
In other words, the direction of humanity is towards glory. It gives a hopeful vision as you go to pick up your car from the mechanic or line up at the post-office. Origen had a faith that was more hopeful than much of what is on display in places often associated with Christianity in our own time. He certainly had more confidence in the efficacy of the incarnation, the life and mission of Jesus Christ.
Much of what I see spoken about these days as “Christian” holds that Jesus manages to save a very few people in the scheme of things. The others - almost everybody it turns out - are headed to destruction and damnation and separation. Origen believed that by the incarnation of Jesus, separation and death and anything that might be called hell was actually defeated. Humanity was headed in the direction of glory by the loving judgment of God.
As I was pondering these thoughts in gratitude I came across an editorial piece in the Washington Post titled, “Why the United States Needs to Stop Being a Nation of Losers”. The article pointed out that majorities on both sides of the political spectrum think that their side is losing. That is, they think that America is headed in the wrong direction, away from what they value.
Curious, this.
Are things getting worse? Is that the same general question as, “In what direction is humanity headed?” Maybe it is not. Those writing about hopeful faith centuries ago were not blind to the reality of suffering and loss and even evil. Even so - they maintained that humanity was headed towards glory.
Many of the quotes I have come across I have found within the writing of Olivier Clement who grew up atheist and even spoke of the necessity of atheism though he came to identify with the Orthodox tradition of Christian faith.
Clement, quotes the poet Rilke as saying, on his deathbed:
“Do not forget that to live is glory.”
That’s a nice reminder as we move into a new year.