2023-07-21 A Meditation on Moral Voice

“15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:1–5 ESV)

To embark upon a moral cause one learns that this goal (moral voice) is just like most any good endeavor the Christian undertakes: it is made possible only when first enlightened by a personal Grace. The soldier obtains centrality, bedrock, vast expanse and wide view, precisely in tandem to the blip on the secularists’ radar, namely, what is all things to the Believer but tedious to the atheist: to say a sinners’ prayer.

To have a quiet time in the morning or night in which we hand the reins over to a God Above. That is, we are then able to feel out and to interpret just what sort of a Lord we serve. Because we have fessed up to the ways we are blinded and oddly situated by rampant sin. The ways that sin gives us a compromised worldview. And this high medicine is ours for life. It bombards us and makes us foolish, but only that God might be honored and not we ourselves. It is an awakening simultaneously available and caring towards any neighbor, be it as it may that they interrupt us, sensing something holy underway when we pray. It is our patience and time on hand to say a “Hello” and already to be listeners, confessorial listener, already… though only once having made the Journey ourselves. Already we are situated and ordained to hear. To make cautious reference to our own sheltered (for we know the ravages of publicity) faith. If we are today discovering the Lord as One who hears, who needs us in some sense, yet who is Ultimate Things and Self-Sufficient, then be not surprised that we are this day ingratiated into Holy War, already underway, our foot-soldiering immediately used for gain in His Name.