Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 132; Isaiah 11:1-9; Matthew 1:1-17; Romans 4:16-25; Psalm 78:32-72
For so long in our society, individuals who were not heterosexual, middle-class white men were raised in an era of glass ceilings. If you were a woman, a person of color, or a gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender person, for instance, it was assumed that you could only go so far. Consequently, folks from a variety of social locations grew up with a sense of profound limitation in their lives. Thankfully, things are finally beginning to change. We now have presidential candidates who come from a variety of social locations – a woman, an African-American, a Hispanic, a non-Catholic/non-Protestant. For the first time, we are actually beginning to become a land of opportunity - not just for some people. Our first instinct might be to pat ourselves on the back and take credit for such a remarkable vision. We would be wrong to do so. For the Apostle Paul lifted up a radical vision of his own for our lives in today’s passage. In Romans 4:18 Paul noted: “When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do [emphasis added]” (The Message). What a powerful way to lead our lives: lives based not upon what others says is possible for us but upon what God suggests is possible! Such a vision can propel us to new heights – regardless of our particular social location. At a time of the year when we are reminded of how God can use humble circumstances (i.e. a young, unmarried couple and a manger) to do previously unthinkable things, I invite you to open yourself to new possibilities in your own life. In other words, don’t let others decide what you are capable: let God decide. Then summon the faith and courage to follow God’s leading to new heights. Look out world; here you come!!! Til next time…
For so long in our society, individuals who were not heterosexual, middle-class white men were raised in an era of glass ceilings. If you were a woman, a person of color, or a gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender person, for instance, it was assumed that you could only go so far. Consequently, folks from a variety of social locations grew up with a sense of profound limitation in their lives. Thankfully, things are finally beginning to change. We now have presidential candidates who come from a variety of social locations – a woman, an African-American, a Hispanic, a non-Catholic/non-Protestant. For the first time, we are actually beginning to become a land of opportunity - not just for some people. Our first instinct might be to pat ourselves on the back and take credit for such a remarkable vision. We would be wrong to do so. For the Apostle Paul lifted up a radical vision of his own for our lives in today’s passage. In Romans 4:18 Paul noted: “When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do [emphasis added]” (The Message). What a powerful way to lead our lives: lives based not upon what others says is possible for us but upon what God suggests is possible! Such a vision can propel us to new heights – regardless of our particular social location. At a time of the year when we are reminded of how God can use humble circumstances (i.e. a young, unmarried couple and a manger) to do previously unthinkable things, I invite you to open yourself to new possibilities in your own life. In other words, don’t let others decide what you are capable: let God decide. Then summon the faith and courage to follow God’s leading to new heights. Look out world; here you come!!! Til next time…
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