Eyeglasses
Originally scheduled for August 26
Although the use of the glass lens has been
known since ancient times, the objects we would recognize as
eyeglasses seem to have been invented in the 13th century. Ben
Franklin is noted as the inventor of bifocals; those of us of a
certain age should be grateful to him and his predecessors. With
such lenses we can often restore our vision to what is considered
normal.
Please note the object: to restore our vision.
We don't buy glasses to obtain Superman's x-ray vision; we simply
want to be able to see as well as we used to. But what if you want
to exceed the normal range of vision? Well, if you want to see
something very small you would use of microscope. If you needed a
slight extension of your vision — for example, if you were bird
watching — you might get a pair of binoculars. If astronomy is your
object, you would get a telescope. If you want to see something
beyond normal vision, you need the right lens.
In a sense, communion is a lens as well. It is
a lens which allows us to see through time, exceeding our normal
vision.
·
Through communion we can see the
past, looking all the way back to the Cross. In communion we see the
atonement performed by Jesus Christ.
·
Through communion we can see the
present, deeply. For it is in contemplation of our Savior's
sacrifice and our own lives that we see our need for repentance.
·
Through communion we can see the
future, for we take communion "until he comes again." Each time we
take communion we remember that he is returning.
The past is history; we can do nothing to
change it. We can, however, learn from it and use its lessons to
change our ways. The future is beyond our grasp, but we can shape
our own future to some extent by the decisions we make today. Only
the present is within our grasp. Let us therefore take the lessons
of the past, and the teachings of our Lord; let us use them to
anticipate what is to come when he returns with our reward. In
short, let each of us examine himself, repent and ask Christ to
strengthen us against the temptations to come.
