Daily Less for February 7, 2019

Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Titus chapter 1 verse 15:

“To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure.”

We live in an age of cynicism, a time when we believe absolutely everything which confirms our suspicions or preys upon our prejudices, while at the same time believing absolutely nothing from those with whom we’re ideologically opposed.

And billions upon billions of dollars are made perpetuating our suspicion.  Americans worship the LORD once a week, but worship at the Temple of the God of Cynicism and Suspicion both daily and nightly. What has been created then is a nation which sees and fears evil at all times and in all places. Many capitalize on these fears for personal and political gain. 

Today’s Lesson suggests that all the darkness and evil we see in others may in fact have more to do with us than it does them. For just as to the pure all things are pure, so too to the fearing all things are fearful. Or as Jesus put it, “The eye is the lamp of the body.”  Our eyes, or how we see the world, is the lamp by which we see others. 

Here’s a radical practice for today:  Assume good faith in others. Even in those with whom we disagree. Even those with whom we disagree vehemently. And look for their goodness. It’s there — even in our enemies it’s there.

“To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure.” 

Or, as folks used to say in West Texas, before we look out and say it’s muddy outside, we should first wash our windows.