I am grateful that God’s bias is to listen to me…to human. There is nothing about me, about human that warrants God’s favor. We are poor and needy; weak and selfish. Nothing about us innately cries out to God to want, desire, seek, or solicit God’s help. In fact, Jacob vowed to tithe if God would honor his promises and be faithful to him. How arrogant…pompous…pathetic. God desires to serve us…work for us…be for us…in fact God will always do us a good turn. It is God’s character to do such. But will we get over ourselves? Many believers have died and will die before they experience the fullness of God’s promises. That’s the way it is. Will we still believe even in the tough times? God never changes. It is we who forget who we are…dependent creations on the creator. How often we reverse the order. Jesus is the gate and good shepherd. It is Jesus who protects his own…shows them he way. But do we want Jesus’ protection…his guiding. The church has a long way to go in its understanding of community. In fact, the good shepherd will bring others into the fold who do not belong to the flock. How’s that for humbling our perception that we know all there is to know about who, why, where, when, and how of salvation. Inclusivity has never been a strong suit for followers of Jesus. Perhaps if we get over ourselves our hospitality will improve. It’s never about us.
Scripture texts are taken from the two-year daily lectionary cycle which follows the liturgical calendar and begins on the First Sunday of Advent.
Commentaires