Jesus: Unchanging and Always New
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On Sunday we will chat about newness and uniqueness.
In the preface to his Introduction to the Devout Life, Francis de Sales wrote:Glycera, a bouquet maker, was so skillful at changing flowers in order and arrangements and out of the same ones made so many different kinds of bouquets that the painter, Pausias, who wished to portray her different arrangements, was unable to do so. He could not vary his paintings in as many ways as Glycera did her bouquets. In like manner the Holy Spirit disposes and orders in so many different ways the devout instructions he gives us by the tongues and pens of his servants. Although the doctrine is always the same, statements of it differ greatly according to the various ways in which their books are composed. I neither can nor will, nor indeed should I, write in this Introduction anything but has been already published buy our predecessors on the same subject. The flowers I present to you, my reader, are the same; the bouquet I hav e made out of them differs… (IDL, Preface, p. 33)
Many of Jesus’ contemporaries wanted him to perform new signs and wonders. What they experienced was a new way of interpreting, applying and living the Law and the Prophets. Even Jesus’ “new commandment” (“love one another”) wasn’t really new – Jesus simply restored it to its rightful place, i.e., naming it as the “greatest commandment.”
In Francis de Sales’ own words, “Living Jesus” isn’t about seeing or doing anything new. Most days, it’s about seeing the familiar – that is, ourselves and others – with new eyes and in new ways.
That is, with the eyes – and in the ways – of God.
We’ll be talking about newness and uniqueness during our chat session on Sunday. Here are some questions that will guide our discussion:
- This reflection calls to mind this quote from Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: “The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of it’s scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.” How can we embrace the unique way that God has created us? How can we become who we truly are meant to be?
- The main point Saint Francis de Sales is trying to make can be summed up in this quote from Hebrews 13:7-8: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.” Nothing we can say about Jesus is every really “new.” However, the way in which that truth is conveyed can change, just as each believer is a unique expression of God’s creative power, yet it is the same God who creates everyone. What can this teach us about adapting the ways we preach the Gospel to different types of people and different cultures and languages?
- How can Jesus, though unchanging, be always new?
- How does the command to love remain unchanging yet always fresh?
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Come to our Living Jesus Chat Room, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM Eastern Time U.S. this Sunday. Sign up here and get your own username. Or just come on Sunday and sign in as a guest. Seats are limited, so come on time.