In is so multifaceted that it can be an adverb (“Please, show him in.”) or adjective (Who would not like to be part of the “in” group?) as well as a preposition. As a preposition, in usually refers to place (While Jesus was in Jericho, He was neither in Nazareth nor standing in the Jordan.) or a state of being (As a child, Christ grew in wisdom and stature. As an adult He was always in trouble with the Scribes and Pharisees. At the end of His life, his career was in ruins. After He rose in glory, He sent the Holy Spirit upon his apostles.) The most important use of this little word is the phrase “life in Christ.” In those three words we have the reason why the whole New Testament was written, why the Church was founded and the Sacraments were instituted, how we were created and re-created, and how we are called to Glory.
When we consider prepositions as adjectives, they quickly make us think of concrete nouns. “I am “an against person” means that I am fighter to such a degree that aggression is my whole being. “I am an away from person” says I am a hermit or a loner, wrapped up in myself and no other. “I am a towards person” asserts that I really want to please you.
Is playing with prepositions this way a waste of time? No. Look at the preposition of in the question just asked. It is such a tiny word, said (or read) so quickly. But the implications of of are phenomenal. “This…. is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh,” Adam says of Eve, meaning: “She is from me”, so of in this case means “I am her source or origin.” Of can also mean Adam is the material, the very substance of Eve, as a necklace is made of gold. It can also mean “belonging to” as the gates of heaven can be found nowhere else except in God’s possession. Another meaning of of is before as when we ask “ what time is it?”, and the reply comes that it is “ten of three”. Little of can also open its arms in a wide embrace, as in the phrase “the love of God.
But let us return to the question asked: Is playing with prepositions “a waste of time”. Since time is of God, we have all the time He wants to give us. Certainly we can, and do, waste the time he gives us. But playing with prepositions is not wasting his time. He has all the time in the world. Playing with prepositions is serious stuff. It is a good way to use his gift of time to set ourselves in right relationship to Him.
Satan, Christ tells us, is the “father of lies” (John 8:44). He is the source of all deceit. What makes Satan evil is that deceit has become his very nature. Even if he were to say something that is true, he would turn it into a lie by saying it for the wrong reason. What is more dangerous than a truthful statement so subtly nuanced that it leads us astray because we do not recognize the deceit in it? Satan is incapable of truth since he is incapable of love. He is incapable of love because he cannot recognize or embrace goodness in any form. He cannot even love himself as he is. His life is hell, a living death, a burning hatred and envy of all that is good and true in God’s creation. It should not be difficult for us to see why codependent behavior is so self destructive. It means that we are living a lie and but insisting on calling it truth. Until we stop deceiving ourselves, we make ourselves into his offspring. To make ourselves children of the father of lies is an eternal waste of time.
Over is not a popular preposition in our day. In our culture, it prepares people to think of someone in a position of power over them. Perhaps the adage of our age should be the adage of Lord Acton, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Anyone with power is automatically suspect. This applies to Politics, Religion, Business, Sports, Entertainment, Employment, and in short, to every aspect of life. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we had the freedom to do what we want? Why should we have to follow orders and do what someone else says? That sums up the dislike we feel towards the authority over implies.
Yet over is a humble word, more concerned about being helpful than heavy-handed or hurtful. For example, consider the following meanings of over: “I am over it” can mean, “my bad mood has ended” and “I am ALL over it” says that “I am giving the issue at hand every bit of my attention.” Over also implies “caring for” as in the sentence “A father is placed over his family.”
Over serves best by humbly being authoritative. There is no other way for over to provide justice, harmony and order in our lives. A conductor is in place over the orchestra. Certainly he has authority, but when he waves his baton, he is also performing a great service. His direction gives musician is the opportunity to play the proper way at the right time so as to fit in beautifully with all the others and create the harmonious sound of a symphony. Where would the orchestra be without a conductor over it? His presence and direction are not enslaving but liberating. The musicians are not made “less” by obeying him, but “more”. They actually flourish and reach their full potential by giving up their autonomy as individuals and doing what they are told. Indeed, unless each performer freely surrenders his/her individuality, they cannot all become their best selves as a live orchestra.
Think of the indispensible role teachers have, as well as coaches, umpires, and referees. In a classroom, learning cannot take place, if students and teacher are absolutely equal. The teacher has to be over the students in so many ways, in authority, power, and dignity, for example. As a teacher he is more knowledgeable than the students, and has something of inestimable value to give them. In sports, someone has to say when a hit is inside the foul line or outside it. In baseball that is the difference between a home run and a strike. In football, a spectacular catch becomes a wasted effort when the tight end’s foot ends up landing over the line. We may cheer decisions we like, or boo ones we hate, but without someone to make the call, there is no way to play the game. Nor are there any players for the game without the practice and discipline provided by those over them who train them in the necessary skills.
We undercut any chance for success in life when we decry the essential role authority has to play. Without the proper authority over us every step of the way, (including God’s as well as man’s), we stay slaves of ignorance, victims of disorder from within and without, and incapable of fulfilling our potential. The debt of gratitude we owe to those over us can never be repaid, except by our docile willingness to share with others the gifts we receive from those over us.
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