“. . . I will not reveal your mysteries to your enemies, nor give you a kiss as did Judas . . .”
We had a rather interesting conversation about this line in the prayer before communion this morning at breakfast. It is a reminder that Christianity is a “mystery cult” and begs the question – how is it so today? The conversation wandered down the path of speculation, we explored the link between this phrase and the responsibility to guard the sanctity of the Eucharistic assembly we all share (this lead to questions about who are Christ’s enemies then?); how does this square with the “orthodox” stance against classical Gnosticism, which claimed to pass on the true and secret teachings of Christ to initiates (“orthodox” teaching holds that all teaching was revealed to the whole ekklesia); how too does this sentiment connect with the Great Commission – to make disciples of all people?
At one point G asked – should we have things in the Liturgy that people do not understand? Hmmm . . . now this is a good question. My immediate response is that if it cannot be explained then no, it ought not be there. But then there is the point of leaving room for growing into understanding of an element, image, or idea.
Take it out because it might have been inconvenient, or incomprehensible at one point, might upset the balance of other images and ideas in the rite making them incomprehensible and before you know it – the weave of the rite is unravelled and you are left with nothing.
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