2 Samuel 7:4,8-16 (NRSV)
The word of the LORD came to Nathan:
Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.
Romans 4:13-18 (NRSV)
The promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations") -- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become "the father of many nations," according to what was said, "So numerous shall your descendants be."
Luke 2:41-52 (NRSV)
Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
Blog Reflection
All this talk about the meaning of love, marriage and family these days, seems to forget that Jesus was born into a non-traditional family. At least according to their version.
In Matthew 1:18-25 from today's Morning Prayer, we read of how Joseph was planning to dismiss Mary, because she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. Mary could have been exposed in shame, or even stoned to death for conceiving another child out of wedlock. Joseph would have been complying with the laws of the day. He was in his right to do so. God, however, has a really good sense of humor. Just when ya think following the rule book is the best thing to do, an angel shows up to tell Joseph to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife. The child that Mary would bear, would be Jesus who would be the Savior of the world. Once Joseph is aware of God's plan, he accepts God's call and takes Mary to Bethlehem. And, we know the rest of the story.
The Gospel narrative from Luke about Jesus being found in the temple, ends with him saying something very peculiar. "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" It seems that the young boy Jesus is aware that there is more than one Father in his life. Very interesting, no?
Joseph may have been born of the noble line of David, but Jesus who was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary, was born in the City of David, yet was the Son of God.
It appears that Joseph was father number 2 in a very non-traditional family. One in which things were not so logical, as in, made sense. It was by God's will that what came to pass happened. If God was so concerned about the rules, God would have chosen to act on them, right? Not necessarily.
God is not bound by time or laws, nor is God limited by how humankind thinks or writes about God. Therein lies the real problem with the Bible. It is a book written about God's acts, by imperfect human beings, though inspired by the Holy Spirit, yes. But, the views written are still accounts from a human perspective. Words, accounts and meanings are rightly met with a little bit of skepticism. So are the things we interpret from them. The messages contained within, do inspire us as the Holy Spirit seeks to move us with her grace.
Whether our family is one of a man and a woman, with or with out children. Or a family of two women, with or without children. Or a family of two men, with or without children. Each family is one that has been brought together by God's grace and design. Family, however it is defined, is built around individuals loving each other, caring about one another and seeking to create a community of compassion and companionship in a world that is all too scary and lonely for way too many people.
The negative atmosphere that Christianists and other arch-conservative groups are casting around LGBT families, couples and individuals is based on false information, biased opinions and facts that simply do not exist, only in their minds. Yet, they are willing to go State by State, to destroy marriage equality laws in States that have passed them, or wage campaigns for ballot initiatives against marriage equality to pass them. The Roman Catholic church and their hierarchy of authoritarianism disguised as religious zeal for the House of God, insists on arguing for religious freedom, while violating it for others who do not share their opinions. Whether the issue be abortion, contraception or marriage equality, there is no stopping their political maneuvering to make their ways, the "American way."
It seems to me that Jesus came into the world, because a man who was dedicated to following the rules, was suddenly open to God's will, once it was made clear to him. And because he acted on God's will and not his own, the Savior of the world was born, and through him, the Church. The Christian religion is not one of a list of major rules or one way moral codes. Our Faith exists not because of some thing, but because of some One. His Name is Jesus Christ.
Jesus came as one who brought with him, God's love for all people. Including those, who were thought to be unlovable and unwanted. Even the eunuchs, the gay men. Even women. Including the sick, the lonely, and the discouraged. Those considered unclean or non-traditional. Jesus even put a human face on the dead, by giving of his own life, and raising them up in the resurrection.
In what ways are we open this Lent to God shattering our expectations?
How does God meet us in the midst of made plans, and changes our hearts so to better follow God's will?
How do we see others who are different from ourselves in light of God's salvation?
As we remember St. Joseph and his willingness to be open to God, let us all pray for one another to be open to the call of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives. If God did such amazing things through Joseph's openness, imagine what God could do through our own openness?
Prayers
O God, who from the family of your servant David raised
up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the
spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his
uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 239).
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have
made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily
lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen. (Collect for Ash Wednesday, Book of Common Prayer, p. 217).
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).
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