Armodoxy for Today: Silence is not Golden

The negative manner in which commandments are presented in the Old Testament, particularly in the most familiar “Top Ten” commandments, has left the impression that commandments are about restrictions. For instance, we’re familiar with “Thou shall not kill” over “Thou shall revere life.” Or “Thou shall not commit adultery” over “Thou shall be loving and faithful.”

Christ change the negativity tone of the commandments to positive statements promoting action. “Do unto others as you want them to do unto you!” (Matthew 7) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul.” (Mark 12) “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5) Do, love, pray, are all action verbs. Jesus sends us – you and me, from the apostles to today, into the world with a positive message of doing, loving and praying.

This a fundamental shift in understanding of relationship with God because it is predicated on our relationship with one another and our world. Hence, sin is not found in doing something, but in not doing what is commanded. Poignantly expressed by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr, “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.”  (The Trumpet of Conscience)

Do, Love and Pray: Important actions in reaction to a world plagued by war, toxicity, hatred, intolerance and even genocide. Yes, the sin is in not acting. Today we ask, May I do, love and pray more and more, in reaction to the world. Doing what I can, loving without ceasing, and praying through it all. Amen.