How understandable to be downhearted and despairing at the moment. At the start of a new year, we are hit with spiking infection rates, school closures and terrifying, deadly scenes of humans behaving badly in North America. Can our very humanity, so prone to destructive action, become a source of hope?
Thanks to Wiros under Creative Commons.
One of the most destructive and powerful emotions is shame.
Perhaps you encounter it as you watch the news, hear fellow citizens speak hatefully of those who think differently or criticise teachers, nurses, scientists who are trying their best in a time of crisis. Perhaps you feel it when you look at the plight of planet Earth and realise that our rapacious greed contributed to - if not caused - the current pandemic.
Perhaps you are aware of it on a more personal level, as you notice a tendency in yourself to despise those ‘other’ stupid, selfish, privileged people acting so poorly….. or realise how often you say one thing and do another.
Shame was the insiduous power that spoiled things in Eden and it is hard to escape. But ours is an embodied God who treasures human flesh and frailty.
Jesus touched the downtrodden, ate with the hated, embraced the immoral, befriended the man on the street. Here is a real person, starting life in complicated birth; closing it in a deep despair that did not quench his capacity to offer broken flesh and blood to sustain his family.
Our God was not ashamed of the human condition but tenderly honoured it. We see this in all the suggested Christian scriptures for this week:
a passage from the letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is our brother in flesh and blood
a sacred song wonders that humans are crowned with divine glory and honour, ruling creation
Jesus - a person! - confidently and miraculously heals the sick and broken in body, mind and spirit.
You may like to listen to this version of Dear Lord, and Father of Mankind by St Bartholomew’s choir as you ponder these things.
What resources, pastimes, people help you to remember the potential and the wonder of your humanity and, therefore, give you courage to embrace it? How can you let these things be your company?
~
What things cause you to forget this? How can you leave them behind?
~
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Whatever is going on around you.
“We are all born so beautiful. The greatest tragedy is being convinced we are not.”