The Hopi Indians have a word, ‘Koyaanisqatsi’ which
translates to ‘life-out-of-balance’ or ‘life-upside-down’. I find this a fitting word to describe our
world today. ‘Koyaanisqatsi –
life-out-of-balance’
Just as the Hopi’s world was changing from all that was
familiar by the introduction of new culture influences, we too are experiencing
a revolution that is working to change and redefine our world. The Hopi’s world
was invaded by an external foreign culture, while we are being invaded from a
newly developing culture within our own society.
The old rules and understandings are being discarded and new
and untested meanings are being assigned to traditionally accepted
beliefs. We are being told to change and
asked to accept a new way of life or be left behind, marginalized and condemned
for holding onto our beliefs. These new
definitions are being adopted despite what a large number of people hold to be
true.
We find increased pressures in the world to change our
beliefs to more adhere to new age thinking.
We are called ‘old-fashioned’, ‘behind-the-times’ or ‘out-of-touch’:
ridiculed and criticized for keeping true to our beliefs and understandings of
the teachings of Jesus in His Church. I
have even seen an attempt to use the name of Jesus to convince us that even He
would change to accept these new understandings.
In the beginning the world greeted Pope Francis with a hope
that the Church was going to change, reflecting more the world’s image and
modern thinking, but the world is now realizing that Francis is just a different
communicator than Benedict, but the message is still the same. The truths of the Church are the truths
taught by Jesus, the Word of God not defined by one man’s opinion.
Jesus brought a new hope to the world. He did not come to negate the Father’s
covenant with the people, but to fulfill that covenant. He did not come to abolish the laws by which
they lived, but to breathe new life into them.
Jesus’ greatest commandment to love God above all and to love one
another, did not throw out the commandments handed to Moses on the mountain,
but brought them into focus.
The changing and changeable world is not our salvation. Jesus
is our salvation which we find in His Church.
We will not attain the kingdom of heaven by conforming to newly formed social
understandings of momentary convenience, but by living as disciples of Jesus,
the Christ; Loving of God and loving one another.
We are made in the image of God, the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. We aspire to please Him in all
things. His laws will not pass away
until all things have taken place. God
does not change to fit our image – He was, is and always will be – I AM.
~Amen.
Peace,
Deacon Don Ron
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