Advent Four - Growing up

 

cedit: DaHeaven Art on artmajeur.com

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11

I have a poster up on the wall of my office.  It was given to me by my daughter and it says "Growing older is inevitable, but growing up is a choice."

All relationships have a beginning, a middle and an end.  Or do they?  The caveat here is that they do if bound by the constriction of time.  The life to come is describe as being unrestricted by 'time'.  We will be living in a different dimension.  Jesus says to us, "I will never leave you or forsake you."  Just as we can not imagine space without boundaries (space goes on and on forever without edges), so life without time is beyond us.  That is why it is good to keep it simple and just hang onto the assurance of Jesus' words.

PRAYER:  This is all I need - I know you will never leave me.

 

Advent Three - Through Thick and Thin

 

Sisters, by Elin Danielson-Gambogi 1891
Private collection.
Credit:commons.wikimedia.org

 “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." Ruth 116

Ruth is clearly a wonderful person with great prospects.  She had been a hit with Naomi's recently deceased son, but now she and her mother-in-law are thrown into sorrow and loss.

Naomi is a foreigner in the land where her two sons have recently died.  With no one there to support her, she decided to return to her homeland and find kin who might recognise and support her.

Ruth is in her homeland, but is prepared to risk everything for her love for her new mother-in-law.  She choses to bind her fate with that of Naomi.  United in their commitment to each other; a new friendship forged out of bereavement.  

Naomi holds her friendship with Ruth lightly, as in without without pressure, or clinging.  Their choice is that of perfect love, which is about 'walk together into the future'.

PRAYER: May love for you and others be like that of Ruth and Naomi.  May my friendships be full of trust.

PS Elin Danielson-Gambogi was a Finnish painter, born in 1861.  She married an Italian artist Gambogi.  Her artwork is original and bold. It reminds me of Van Gough's potato eaters.

Advent Two - False Relationships

The Betrayal.  National Gallery of Ireland. 
Michelangelo Caravaggio 1602 
Credit: fineartconnisseur.com

 So he went right up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.  “Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you come? Matthew 26:47

So Judas took a company of soldiers and some temple police from the chief priests and the Pharisees and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to Him, went out and said to them, “Who is it you’re looking for?”  

“Jesus the Nazarene,” they answered.

“I am He,” Jesus told them.

Judas, who betrayed Him, was also standing with them.  When He told them, “I am He,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. John 18

My saying is that 'You need at least one good friend- more would be a bonus.'  A good friend is one who is consistent, and is always pleased to see you.  Someone who will never let you down.

Jesus could see through Judas straightaway.  Betrayal by a friend is a terrible thing. Our lives are strewn with people who betray, like the barrister who abused boys at Christian children's camps, which went on to bring down an Arch Bishop, and disgrace a church.

I guess that Jesus continues to be vulnerable to his friends.  I am a friend, and I have the potential to wound, just as Judas did.

PRAYER:  May I be one of your best friend Lord, just as you are mine.