Those of us who are mature – Lent II, 19.02.16

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you.  (Philippians 3:14-15)

It is that phrase, those of us who are mature, which catches my attention.  Obviously, if we talk that way, we may be in danger of elitism, of thinking rather highly of ourselves – which in NZ is right up there with treason and being critical of sport.  There is also the clear danger of deciding for ourselves that we are “mature”, when that might be something better decided about us by others. 

So we have a closer look.  That word “mature” in its biblical sense needs some clarity.  Plenty of people are of mature years, as we say, but their grasp of Christian truth and allegiance remains naïve, even childish, sentimental and superstitious, fragile and very easily shaken.  The Greek word Paul uses is teleios (τελειος).  It is the same word used in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus enigmatically says, Be perfect (teleios) as your heavenly Father is perfect (teleios).  It certainly does not mean morally “perfect”, stainless, guiltless.  It means fit for purpose, being what it is meant to be, and doing that well and simply.  A person who is “teleios” in the Christian sense is not a know-all, in fact he/she has become keenly aware of what he/she doesn’t know, doesn’t understand, and knows how to embrace mystery.  Now we know in part, writes St Paul, but then (he means in a later, fuller life) we will know, even as we are known.

I would think one distinguishing mark of this mature believer is that he/she is not afraid.  Love and humility have replaced fear... I mean fear for oneself, the need always to protect and defend one’s choices and opinions, and constantly to garrison and sanitise life lest something go wrong.  The person who is “teleios” is quite at home with mortality and human frailty and error.

He writes: Let those of us then who are mature (teleios) be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you.  Being of the same mind does not mean being in agreement about everything.  It means understanding each other, listening to each other, respecting difference.  If you think differently, he adds, this too God will reveal.  God will sort it out.  The mature believer trusts that truth will emerge. 

Well, contemplative life and prayer is the life and prayer of ‘οι τελειοι, the mature – and of those who are tentatively setting out on this path.  Its pillars always are silence, stillness, consent.