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The intent of Pilgrim Processing is to provide commentary on the Daily Lectionary from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The format for the comment is Old Testament Lesson first, Gospel, and Epistle with a portion of one of the Psalms for the day as a prayer at the end.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Intimacy and Fear

The cliche is that males fear intimacy. The truth is that we all fear intimacy, being known. We have learned over time that some things aren't safe to tell and some people aren't safe to tell either. Vulnerability is dangerous business, always has been, always will be. Naked and unashamed (Genesis 2.25) is not something most of us relate to very well.

There are times when I am glad God sees and knows but there are times when that knowledge is not so good and I want to get my own fig leaf, knowing it is completely inadequate and doesn't hide the sin but actually draws attention to it.

Sometimes I think we comfort ourselves with knowledge about God and use that knowledge as our fig leaf. It is safe to know about Him and to keep the distance that kind of knowledge affords us. Adam and Eve didn't have that luxury, they knew He was near, walking in the garden, theoretical, doctrinal knowledge is safer. Doctrinal knowledge doesn't have to be intimate and immanent. The incarnation blew away the theologians who knew all about God (or thought they did). They couldn't handle the idea of Him being present with them as He was present in the Garden and they used their theology as their fig leaf. We have even greater intimacy than that with the Holy Spirit. Do I hear footsteps?

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