In the Rear View Mirror

I know that rear view mirrors are for watching what’s behind you as you drive, but occasionally, they are also used for seeing what you have driven past. I like that image as I wrestle with the reading from Acts for this Sunday because often it is upon reflection that the meaning of a situation becomes clear. Peter is being criticized for eating with those outside traditional Jewish boundaries.  He uses a dream to justify his bold actions which challenge a traditional cultural understanding of appropriate hospitality. He describes the vision of a sheet being lowered from the heavens, containing animals on the “unclean” list. A voice calls for him to kill and eat, yet he protests. He is informed that it is what comes from the mouth, rather than what goes in, that profanes and is called to make no distinction between all who love God. It is an invitation to inclusion. Upon reflection, Peter is clear that the dream was a challenging message from God. It’s almost as clear as a second perspective from the rear view mirror.
 
Following a criticism, have you ever thought, “I wish I had handled that differently”, or “next time, I’ll be ready.” These moments of clarity are not so different from Peter’s reflection on witnessing the alarming presence of the sacred.  With a startling new insight he realizes that he’s had a face to face encounter with the divine. Those encounters are not locked in the first century; we too have them or miss them. Curiosity and mystery are continuous realities on the spectrum of the sacred. We never have it all figured out even if we think we do. Beauty can never be completely defined or explained.
 
But wait. Has the mystery with which we live been taken for granted? Are we caught up in the traditions and practices of our churches to such an extent that we are unable to step outside the box when the divine touches our world? Are we so familiar with the way things have always been done that we neglect to see that God is acting in a new way? I expect that every time the church has felt like it’s just trying to keep up, or like it is losing significance, there are people trying to figure out which rules to follow, as the Spirit is calling us to something new. Rules are important but they do not define the work of God. Following the experience of the resurrection, first century Judaism rules were being challenged. Followers of “The Way” attempted to live into the spirit of the living Christ which made room for all to be included in the people of God, rather than strict Jewish observance.  That is clearly  seen  now, with the rear view perspective. Faith for today calls us to be alert to the places the sacred is calling us now, challenging and approaching from new directions.