Many times, while reading Scriptures, a line or a phrase seems to stand out from everything else. I see this as a call to contemplate Scripture more deeply. This is not my own invention, it is closely related to the practice of Lectio Divina. While reading this Sunday's Gospel, I find myself dwelling on Abraham's response to the rich man's request to send Lazarus to his brothers in order to warn them.
'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'
Jesus was addressing this parable to the pharisees, but clearly He was talking about His own resurrection, and perhaps warning them about their response to it. I believe, however that there is a deeper message in this for us today; that is about the profound relationship between the Old Testament and Christ's mission as revealed in the New Testament. Too often we seem discount the Old Testament as having been "replaced" by the New. Or perhaps the Old Testament is regarded as irrelevant because of the New Testament. Jesus tells us clearly that he did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
Perhaps, if we desire to more fully understand Jesus and His gift of Salvation for us, it would be a beneficial exercise to examine that which He is fulfilling more closely.
+ Theophilus
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