Words and actions

 

How we love these titles! There is a term or title in Fijian which is simply “saka”. Sometimes, when someone might want me to do them a favour, they begin by saying “I saka”. Please lord or sir…. It’s like trying to get a favour from Jesus by using the term “Lord”. In today’s gospel from Matthew 7:21-29, Jesus is addressing those who sidle up to him and say “Lord, Lord” and telling them that this is not going to get them anywhere. Jesus is asking for more sincerity than just trying to boost Jesus’ ego and then hitting him with a major request. So, when we pray, drop the phoney titles and elaborate introductions. Just say what you want. Also, don’t throw Jesus’ name around in trying to convince people that you are able to work great miracles and make predictions about the future. Jesus doesn’t want all the beautiful words and great titles you use in saying prayers. Sometimes you’re better off just being silent when you are with someone who is suffering deep pain. Who are you trying to impress anyway! Jesus is aware of the suffering. What he wants is simple sincerity. It’s not what you say that’s important; it’s what you do. (And I’m also speaking to myself by the way.)

 

There’s something else. If you want to use a title when praying for someone in Jesus’ name, then make sure you know the One whose power or help you are invoking in giving a blessing to someone who is need of healing. Spend time with Jesus before you assume the right to call upon his name or title. Then, when you do pray for someone, make sure you are not just speaking empty words but that you back up what you say or pray with visible action. It may not be much; it may be just sitting quietly with someone. But make sure it is solid and not wishy-washy, like the house built on rock and not the house built on sand. And when the words don’t come, when you don’t know what to say out loud, that’s okay. Most people can see whether you are sincere or not. If they can’t, certainly Jesus can. And that’s what counts because it is his name or title we are using.