Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Step 8: Faithfulness is a Journey

One other truth told us in the birth naratives of both gospels is that faithfulness is a journey; don't expect to stay as you are if you want to grow in love/spirit. Just because we are loved/forgiven/accepted by God just the way we are does not mean that God doesn't will much more for us, doesn't offer us ways of growth and paths to discovery. In the same way that a parent loves and accepts a mischievous four-year-old but hopes they will grow up some day and does their best to present to them paths of maturity and love in the hopes that the child will chose them for their own.

The three astrologers (wise men) embark on a journey toward a new king, a smart move politically and economically. They made their calculations, their choice and then went for it. The wealthy and powerful in Herod's court knew everything that the wise men did but chose to stay at home. They missed out. Joseph and Mary figured out the facts and journeyed to Egypt, to refuge. When the time was right they chose to journey back. In the Lukan narratives Mary travels to visit Elizabeth. (This would have been very unusual thing for a lone woman to do.) Mary and Joseph travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The shepherds leave the flocks and travel to (or into) Bethlehem.

We shouldn't be side tracked by any arguments over the details. A few miles or a long and dangerous journey. These are truths to teach us not historical acts. These are present perogatives. For us. For all. For then. For now. For all time. If we desire to become more. If we really want to claim out heritage as God's Children. If we could grow, even to the stature of Christ. If we would follow in the WAY of Jesus of Nazareth we must chose the journey. What are the "stars" that point the way? Identify them and then really do search for them knowing that what may be the obvious may not be the true. Be calculating about it. God gave you a brain. Aren't you really stupid if you don't go for all that live has to offer?

Is there someone who you think might be able to help/guide/challenge/support you? (Elizabeth) What's keeping you from going/seeking and learning from them?
What is threatening us, endangering our growth, our Herods? How can we escape from it? Where is a haven to where we can go that will facilitate our growth, and "Egypt" for us?

Do we listen for God's WORD in the world around us? If we do hear it do we ignore it? Where will we most likely hear it? Do we assume that, common as we are God's WORD is not for us? (Remember the shepherds).

What are the things that hold us back from our journeys? Remember that the shepherds had to leave their flocks. (This didn't mean total abandonment for they no doubt would have had cousins that would have looked after them for a while. All the same, it would have been a risk.
Enter your journey with both eyes open knowing that you not only don't know what you will be involved with on the journey, or how the journey will turn out, but that you can assume that the journey you foresee is only the start in itself; the journey you are trying to identify is only itself the first step in a greater journey. There will be results./affects to the trip that will enable and call you to more. Jesus certainly had more to do when he returned from Egypt. What Mary learned from Elizabeth helped to prepare her and guide her all her life. In the story of the astrologers we aren't told of any results in their lives but their journey changed many others, setting in motion other journeys. The shepherds returned as different people, enabled and changed in their proclamation of God's love.

The message, the truth, the WORD is there for us: God's CALL is all around us, there for us to see and hear. Those that should be most aware of it often (usually) miss it or try to mold it to suite their own agendas. We have full power to answer it or ignore it. We are given our minds and experience to help us in our choice. To follow is dangerous and unusual. Power and Wealth is against us. We will be changed and risk much in the journey. It is open ended and the only promise is that God will be with us.

This is not kids' stuff. We can easily understand how the manger scene and Santa are more popular than what the gospel writers had to tell us. The truths of the birth narratives are so much more difficult than belief even of the birth from a virgin. It's better public relations wise to cover up a difficult truth with a belief in the impossible.

But through it all God still come to us. Vulnerable, loving, accepting, humble and open, just like a little babe born of poor and outcast parents of an oppressed people in a conquered land.

Step 9: The Church's Lack of Leadership at Christmas

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