Cosmic Formulas and Hocus Pocus

The following quote is from Wikipedia. This is one of several possible historical explanations for the words 'Hocus Pocus':

...it may simply be imitation Latin with no meaning, made up to impress people:

I will speak of one man... that went about in King James his time... who called himself, The Kings Majesties most excellent Hocus Pocus, and so was he called, because that at the playing of every Trick, he used to say, Hocus pocus, tontus talontus, vade celeriter jubeo, a dark composure of words, to blinde the eyes of the beholders, to make his Trick pass the more currently without discovery, because when the eye and the ear of the beholder are both earnestly busied, the Trick is not so easily discovered, nor the Imposture discerned.

— Thomas Ady, A Candle in the Dark, 1656

That reminds me of the story in Acts 8 of Simon the magician:

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God." And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost."

But Peter said unto him, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and [in] the bond of iniquity."

Then answered Simon, and said, "Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me."

Now you may wonder how this relates to modern worship in our modern churches. Simon thought he could 'fake it til he made it.' Simon did not yet understand that any change must be internal, not external. Only a personal, internal seeking for spiritual things can result in the externally seen fruits of spirituality.

In a prior post I talked about objectification of Jesus (keeping Jesus at arms length, not looking for him within) being a form of idolatry. This also goes for God.

We cannot treat God as if he is some sort of cosmic formula that we can manipulate to get our way.

God is not a rabbit's-foot, nor is he Santa Claus. He's not in our back pocket. He's not our copilot, and he's not here to help us against other people. Stop trying to think you can use God! Any of these kinds of things is like that stage magician saying 'Hocus Pocus, Alacazam!' while they distract and fool people. And there are some poor superstitious souls who play the trick and fool even themselves.

A very immature new Christian might have the mistaken idea that we 'fake it til we make it'. But true internal spirituality springs forth from inside to outside, like a light or a fountain. How can you blast out this positive energy if it does not come from within? Impossible!

An externally focused religion (one that does not come from within) is despicable:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's] bones, and of all uncleanness. (Matthew 23:27)

Eventually, the internal practices of prayer and worship begin to influence the external life until the two become one. Then every action, every step is in communion with God. Then, the words 'internal' and 'external' have no meaning.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1,2)

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 16-18)