In days Long Ago-before there were cell-phones–I was gathered from neighborhood play by my mother’s call from the back porch. If I were too far afield to hear her and didn’t immediately show up, my Dad’s resonant tenor would pierce the suppertime peace, calling me to join the family. If it got that far, I’d BETTER show up! I was happy, because I was wanted and loved… Readings for this Second Sunday in Lent remind us if we’re feeling orphaned that God intends to be a Parent both benevolent and protective.
Abram gathered his family and possessions, painted his wagon, and set off for an unknown but hoped-for horizon. We find him now in Genesis 15:1-12 lamenting that he’s still childless, without an heir, and running out of time. God showed him the night sky: “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them….So shall your descendants be.” And Abram moved from suspicion to belief, even though he was at the end of his rope (he thought). Here is the human predicament of hope and worry which probably plagues us all. The passage gives opportunity to again announce God’s audacious promise of unbroken inheritance.
In his letter to the Philippian Church (3:17-4:1) Paul urges them to imitate him, just as he imitates Christ. Well, we all need a parent-like mentor, especially one who has been mentored by Christ himself. I like the NIV translation of verse 21, about a savior who “will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body”. We’re reminded that our Family is heavenly, even though we earthly members struggle from time to time to understand our role (“citizenship”) with each other. More than merely a social ethic, our involvement with each other is as brothers and sisters of an Eternal Parent.
Luke remembers (13:31-35) Jesus’ disgusted and frustrated wail, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem….How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” God’s ultimate desire is to gather us recalcitrant progeny ever closer for warmth and protection! We’ve created sanctuaries for those like us–but are ALL welcome under the spread of love’s wings?? Lots of our company upon Spaceship Earth feel as though they’re lost and pelted in the storm…yet are too afraid (and maybe too stubborn) to accept the shelter of indiscriminate Grace.
There’s a spiritual which says in part, “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child, a long way from home.” Our tendency is to find some sort of mother to snuggle with on stormy days. Who then are our Mothers? Ma Bell? Mother Church? a branch of the military? a lodge, or a coven? Even in Lent, we dare sing “Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings…” Come, gather–there’s always room for you.
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My encounters with Scripture lessons for the upcoming weekend can be marked every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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