This parable must surely be the best known of all the stories told by Jesus. The son wishes his Dad dead ('give me my inheritance , NOW!') and makes his way to wreck and ruin. Finally he comes to his senses and makes his way back home. There is a great moment when the Dad welcomes him, but as you read on, the other brother is not happy about this at all!
Family life is difficult. Someone once said: you can choose your friends, but there is no choice with family. I know of many families where there are rifts between siblings or children with their parents. Oh boy, and when it comes to inheritance - there's fuel for family feud.
So when Jesus teaches us to pray and sets up the first line with 'Our Father, who is in heaven', we are brought into the context of God's family - including the dynamics and dysfunctional aspects of each one of us. What a project: reconciliation with God as our Heavenly Father, and through his Son, Jesus Christ, we are brought into a place of healing. Even healing among all of humanity?! Lots of work to be done, lots of egos to overcome, lots of hurt to be forgiven.
Scripture tells us that as Christians we have been enlisted in Christ's cause as 'ministers of reconciliation' (see NT, 2 Corinthians 5:18). Isn't it amazing that is starts in the home?! I know of missionaries who have no fear in going to far away places in the cause of Christ, but are reluctant to share the same zeal for the Gospel with their own family members. So, are we more like the son in this story that rebelled or more like the other son who just refused - both are actually wrong ; both are in desparate need of healing and restoration.
Repentance means: to return and face each other again. God's call is to repent - to return to him, and each other. This is the first step to overcome our problems - then it's ... let's talk!
Rev.'D
10 March, 2010
04 March, 2010
03 March, 2010
Figuring out moments of tragedy
Aceh, Haiti, and now Chile. Massive loss of life. 'God have mercy.'
I hate it when I get to hear from pious fundamentalist preachers (mostly from America), that this is judgement sent from God. Jesus confronted the same narrow-mindedness (read Luke 13:1-9) and challenged this mind-set. So sad that we still come across it; especially in the church.
Let's set the record straight: we live in a fallen world (full stop). Stuff happens - including bad stuff like earthquakes, wars, pestilence, and the list goes on. This is part and parcel of living under the curse of death - and it is on all of us. Sometimes it's on a massive scale, other times it happens when a young man commits suicide, at other times it happens to loved ones and we find ourselves at their funeral. Jesus' point here is simply this: death is a reality that confronts all of us. So, with that in mind, it's not an issue of who is worse or who deserves to die more. NO! no! no!
Christ calls us out of that - basically saying, this is not where I want you to end up, so chose LIFE while you have life within you. In this life we have but a few years, but what happens when we breathe our last - will you know where you are going after this life??? Jesus made it clear as to why he came into our history: 'I have come to give you LIFE, and life to overflowing.' (Jn 10:10)
Let's not make a sad situation worse; let's pray for these families and help with our wealth.
Rev.'D
I hate it when I get to hear from pious fundamentalist preachers (mostly from America), that this is judgement sent from God. Jesus confronted the same narrow-mindedness (read Luke 13:1-9) and challenged this mind-set. So sad that we still come across it; especially in the church.
Let's set the record straight: we live in a fallen world (full stop). Stuff happens - including bad stuff like earthquakes, wars, pestilence, and the list goes on. This is part and parcel of living under the curse of death - and it is on all of us. Sometimes it's on a massive scale, other times it happens when a young man commits suicide, at other times it happens to loved ones and we find ourselves at their funeral. Jesus' point here is simply this: death is a reality that confronts all of us. So, with that in mind, it's not an issue of who is worse or who deserves to die more. NO! no! no!
Christ calls us out of that - basically saying, this is not where I want you to end up, so chose LIFE while you have life within you. In this life we have but a few years, but what happens when we breathe our last - will you know where you are going after this life??? Jesus made it clear as to why he came into our history: 'I have come to give you LIFE, and life to overflowing.' (Jn 10:10)
Let's not make a sad situation worse; let's pray for these families and help with our wealth.
Rev.'D
A saint for internet users
Would you believe it, there is a saint for internet users. Lutherans don't get into the saint thing, because, in Christ we are all declared to be saints (not by our efforts, but by the righteous acts of Jesus - transferred to us). But I still think it's worthwhile sharing with you that the patron saint of internet users, computer technicians, students of all ages is ... (drum roll): Saint Isidore of Seville.
This saint dedicated his life's work to collecting knowledge - much like the internet and the pursuit of every student. From a Catholic journal we read that "Isidore's greatest passion was in the field of education. He encouraged the educational institutes in Seville to prescribe the study of Greek, Hebrew, law, and medicine. To many, Isidore was seen as the most learned man of his time. Isidore was born circa 560AD and died on 4th April 636."
I wonder what we aspire to? The Roman Catholic Church recently canonized Australia's first acknowledged saint, namely Mary McKillop. This was recent news on our broadcasting channels. Through the papacy, saints are venerated because of their outstanding life and achievements. So, back to my question - what do you aspire to, so that you will leave a mark of blessing on others? Christ once said: 'what you do for the least of these, you have done it for me.' That makes you think - every one of our actions has a spiritual connection! Some people may not notice (and that should not be our motivation anyway), but it's good to know that God knows.
Rev.'D
This saint dedicated his life's work to collecting knowledge - much like the internet and the pursuit of every student. From a Catholic journal we read that "Isidore's greatest passion was in the field of education. He encouraged the educational institutes in Seville to prescribe the study of Greek, Hebrew, law, and medicine. To many, Isidore was seen as the most learned man of his time. Isidore was born circa 560AD and died on 4th April 636."
I wonder what we aspire to? The Roman Catholic Church recently canonized Australia's first acknowledged saint, namely Mary McKillop. This was recent news on our broadcasting channels. Through the papacy, saints are venerated because of their outstanding life and achievements. So, back to my question - what do you aspire to, so that you will leave a mark of blessing on others? Christ once said: 'what you do for the least of these, you have done it for me.' That makes you think - every one of our actions has a spiritual connection! Some people may not notice (and that should not be our motivation anyway), but it's good to know that God knows.
Rev.'D
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