The Case for Sending a Child


 "Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and your visited me. . . . . I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me." Matthew 25.35-36, 40b CEB

This is the parable by which Jesus completes the fifth and last major block of His teachings in the Gospel of Matthew. The first major teaching block in Matthew is known as the Sermon on the Mount and begins with Jesus addressing the crowds with what we now commonly call The Beatitudes, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven . . . "
From the first teaching block to the last, from blessings to judgment on the lips of God's Son - and I am caused to ponder:
Have you ever wondered why God didn't just look at all of the stuff which was going on when Jesus was born and say to the winds of the storm, 'Be Quiet!' and to the seas, 'Be Still!'? Overturning the tables in the Temple then and throwing Caesar out? God has such power, you know.
Have you ever wondered why God chose to come to the earth, to a broken and beautiful humanity, in the form of a Child, rather than just ride in on the horses of Judgment and really set things up on God's own terms?
Could it be that, all along, God has been wanting us, us, humanity . . . all of us . . . to discover our origins all over again in the humble, the meek, the poor in spirit, the grieving, the hungry, the thirsty, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted and the faithful? And there find the Divine, the God who has been in our hearts from the very beginning?
Could it be that God is born all over, again and again and again and again and again and again, in the simple acts of kindness one child might do for another in the name of being decent, simple, loving and gracious in the sharing of food, water, clothing, friendship, caring, healing and support?
Could it be that the Judge does not judge at all? That we issue our own final judgments by the choices we make consciously and unconsciously every day about how we receive and honor the Infant Jesus in our lives - by taking our cues in Life from Him?
Might it all be just that clear, like a star shining above a stable that only a few observers ever see and follow?

On this side of Jesus' teachings, the fulfillment of His teachings is yet to be revealed, or are they? Maybe we need look no further than the angels who tend to the lowly around us. There He is born anew - and in such a Gift may be the fullest meaning of being 'born again' that any one of us could imagine.
Something to ponder as we near The Reign of Christ Sunday in the Church Year, the last Sunday before Advent. Christ Reigns - and a Little Child shall lead us Home!
As the old story goes, 'Hold on to your forks, friends, the best is yet to come!'
Blessings on the journey.
(c)dcw2020  

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