The Lord's audience grows

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061118.cfm
Acts 11:21-26, 12:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12

The LORD has made his salvation known:in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.

This verse from the responsorial Psalm caught my attention as I read through the Scripture texts. It was not because of any great insight; rather, it was because I had heard the verse so many times, previously allowing the words to slide by as scenery slips by the passenger at the car’s side window. This time I stopped to consider what was meant. Though this Old Testament text may be interpreted as prophetic, anticipating the day of the Messiah, I knew it also had meaning for those of the day when it was written. The opening reference to “wondrous deeds” brings to mind the escape of the Israelites from Egypt, particularly the passage through the Reed Sea. The statement that “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.” would suggest, however, something greater than a local event on the border of Egypt. The ‘salvation’ (or ‘victory,’ as some translations would have it) clearly suggests the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, through whom we have victory over death and salvation from an eternity apart from God. 

Then, there is the closing verse, which is not included here: “Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.” 

We have yet to see that day of judgment when righteousness and equity will be the prevailing criterion; but it seems clear that the author intended to have the end time included in the Psalm. Similarly, we have an on-going expansion of the witnesses to these events. Initially there is the simple statement of fact which any observer could readily testify to. But that shifts. The audience grows. Suddenly we hear that “The LORD has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.” and not just to those present on a given day at a given time. The magi coming from foreign lands to see the newborn king of the Jews immediately came to mind. And then, in conclusion, the number of those who can authenticate this unfolding revelation grows again, and we hear that: “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.” It seems we have a Psalm for all ages. But there is dissonance between the vision of the Psalm and the reality of our times. I have no definitive statistics; nor can I turn to sociological studies. Nevertheless, the news broadcast by media of all types would suggest a diminishment both in established religion and in the acknowledgement of God’s existence. Consequently, I have to wonder: when is it that it can authentically be claimed? “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God."

And how is all of this to transpire? I suppose one might fall back on what God has revealed, claiming that it’s there for anyone willing to see; and that much, at least, would be true. After all, “The LORD has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.” The Psalm, however, claims more than that. It claims that this salvation will actually be seen. So, one again, how is all of this to transpire? In the present day those who believe are convinced that the glory of God and the presence of God are available to be seen. But the circumstances remind me of my youth. 

By the time I was in the late elementary grades in school, I must have formed a fairly exact (although erroneous) picture of how the world works. It was probably for that very reason that some elements of the exact sciences were difficult to grasp. Set theory in math made little sense to me. Equally elusive was the notion that centrifugal force is a fiction and that centripetal force was the dynamic element being observed. What was required was a shift in perspective, an acknowledgement that I might be wrong, a willingness to change.

It seems foolish to say that the glory and presence of God are there for all to see but that He is going to hide these from some. It seems even more ludicrous to hear his words in Scripture — "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh.” (Joel 2:28) — and think that an awareness of his presence and glory are restricted to the few. Besides, that’s contrary to the Psalmist’s claim that these will be apparent to “all the ends of the earth.” It is the very fact that he has “pour out his spirit on all flesh.” that makes the situation difficult. Have all been given the Spirit in order that they might see and yet some refuse to see?

This much seems certain: in the end, all will, like it or not, see the salvation of our God.

In the meantime, what remains for me is to ask the Spirit to open my eyes that still are unwilling to perceive and except all the truths which God has revealed.