"Surely there is a future,
and your hope will not be cut off."
Proverbs 23:18

I read recently about a procedure used by medieval monks to predict the future -- sortes Biblicae. The monks would open their Evangel blindly and lay a finger on a page for the answer to what would happen.

What is your future? Do your really want to know all the details ahead of time? If you did, would the "positives" be as wonderful as when they happen without prior knowledge? Would the "negatives" be so overwhelming that your survival during the waiting period would become overwhelming?

I confess that there have been times when I have practicedsortes Biblicae without knowing it had a name. And sometimes, this gave me answers "right on the mark." Typically, however, I glean the scriptures for answers in a slightly more sophisticated manner. That is, I use a concordance to guide me to passages directly related to the topic of concern as I wrestle with my present and future. This latter method provides sufficient information for me. I need not, and prefer not, to know the steps along the path. The "ending" is sufficient.

Thank you God for using early Christians to leave messages for us that are still meaningful today. Especially, thank you for Saint Paul who told us:
    "for all things are yours,
    present or the future.
    All are your; and you are Christ's
    and Christ is God's"
    (1 Corinthians 3:22-23)
    Amen"

Contributed by Nancy E.
Published Monday November 3, 2003
Week 49 of Liturgical Year B