Bulletin article for December 8, 2013, "The Advent Paradigm"

THE PARADIGM OF VIRTUE

 



The word “paradigm” (pare a dime), describes an existing structure or a model. There are scientific paradigms, political paradigms, philosophical paradigms, and religious paradigms.  For example, the paradigm of American democracy is the office of the President and Vice President, the Senate, the House of Representatives, all who are elected officials. There are checks and balances built into the government with power distributed over the executive, legislative, and Judicial branches. When a paradigm is proven false or is no longer valid, a major shift occurs and a new structure or understanding is created. Our scriptures tell about major paradigm shifts. Isaiah prophesizes that in the future when this shift occurs, God’s chosen one will be filled with wisdom and understanding, justice and faithfulness, his weapons are his words which will silence and defeat the worst of his foes. The natural world will be turned upside/down, with lions, bears, wolves, leopards, and cobras living in peace with kids, lambs, cows, and children. In the Gospel, John the Baptist warns the Jewish religious authorities that their religious paradigm is about to be radically changed. In their arrogance, they believe that only the Jews are God’s chosen ones. Because of their hardness of heart, God is creating a new paradigm of “chosen” that is inclusive of all people, including those who are not Jewish. In Paul’s letter to the Romans he writes that the paradigm shift, that John the Baptist warned would occur, has happened. All people regardless of religion, culture or nationality are now united in harmony and peace as God’s children through the power of Jesus Christ. Paradigm shifts occur in our lives, too. Leaving the single life to marry is a major paradigm shift. When children are born another major shift occurs. A change in job or occupation creates a paradigm shift. A serious illness, an accident or injury can bring about a paradigm shift in our lives. Divorce, or the death of someone we love is a major paradigm shift in our lives. The scriptures tell us that as God has accompanied humanity through the major paradigm shifts of the past, so God will continue to be with us in our present and future paradigm shifts. How has God been present during these shifts in our lives? Are we aware of God’s presence during these times? Have we thanked God for supporting us during these major changes?