Sermon podcast from the First Sunday of Christmas, 12-26-21 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Luke 2:41-52
Showing posts with label Luke 2:41-52. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luke 2:41-52. Show all posts
12/28/2012
Little brat
In this week's Bible reading from Luke 2:41-52 we hear about a Passover festival Jesus celebrated with his parents. It was a busy time. People were celebrating, running, pushing, and shoving.
And then, finally, it was over.
Mary and Joseph got everyone together and headed for home afterwards. They thought Jesus was with them - in their larger traveling group. He wasn't
He'd forgotten to get in the group. He'd stayed behind talking to the teachers in the temple.
They realized he wasn't with them and they returned to the temple. It had been three days and Jesus didn't seem the least bit upset. He'd been talking with the teachers.
Mary and Joseph were angry. They couldn't believe that Jesus would just stay. They couldn't believe that he hadn't tried to contact them. They couldn't believe that he was so unaffected by being separated from his family. He was only 12!
And Jesus said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I would be in my Father's house?"
And after that, Jesus was grounded.
Or he should have been. He should have made an effort to contact his parents. He should have said he was sorry.
I'm glad he grew up and increased in wisdom and in years. Just from this story it seems he was a little brat.
And then, finally, it was over.
Mary and Joseph got everyone together and headed for home afterwards. They thought Jesus was with them - in their larger traveling group. He wasn't
He'd forgotten to get in the group. He'd stayed behind talking to the teachers in the temple.
They realized he wasn't with them and they returned to the temple. It had been three days and Jesus didn't seem the least bit upset. He'd been talking with the teachers.
Mary and Joseph were angry. They couldn't believe that Jesus would just stay. They couldn't believe that he hadn't tried to contact them. They couldn't believe that he was so unaffected by being separated from his family. He was only 12!
And Jesus said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I would be in my Father's house?"
And after that, Jesus was grounded.
Or he should have been. He should have made an effort to contact his parents. He should have said he was sorry.
I'm glad he grew up and increased in wisdom and in years. Just from this story it seems he was a little brat.
12/21/2009
Anxiety
Here's this week's Bible study blog post for i.ucc:
In this week’s Bible reading from Luke 2:41-52, Mary said to Jesus, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety."
Mary was afraid that her child was missing, hurt, or worse.
Most parents have experienced “Where is my child?!” times, perhaps where the young one has wandered away from the clothing store to find a bathroom, rode their training-wheeled bicycle to the school to ‘help daddy pick up my sister,” or decided to take a nap in a suitcase in the closet. (Real experiences from the Moore parents!) The sense of fear is disturbing and in many ways, paralyzing.
That same anxiety can be felt when there are no identifiable problems or situations at hand. Anxiety can strike any person, any age, any time.
Mary and Joseph were relieved (if not a little angry) when they found the boy Jesus. But for too many, relief seems impossible and the calls to “snap out of it! There’s nothing wrong!” not only don’t work, they often (perhaps always!) make things worse.
I’ve found relief from anxiety in slow, pursed lip exhales and contemplative prayer. It seems to reset whatever chemical processes are going on in my brain to give me feelings of anxiety. For many, medication, psychological help, and counseling can bring needed relief.
May we all learn to be a loving, calming presence to any an all that experience anxiety. May we all treat every child of God as precious.
In this week’s Bible reading from Luke 2:41-52, Mary said to Jesus, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety."
Mary was afraid that her child was missing, hurt, or worse.
Most parents have experienced “Where is my child?!” times, perhaps where the young one has wandered away from the clothing store to find a bathroom, rode their training-wheeled bicycle to the school to ‘help daddy pick up my sister,” or decided to take a nap in a suitcase in the closet. (Real experiences from the Moore parents!) The sense of fear is disturbing and in many ways, paralyzing.
That same anxiety can be felt when there are no identifiable problems or situations at hand. Anxiety can strike any person, any age, any time.
Mary and Joseph were relieved (if not a little angry) when they found the boy Jesus. But for too many, relief seems impossible and the calls to “snap out of it! There’s nothing wrong!” not only don’t work, they often (perhaps always!) make things worse.
I’ve found relief from anxiety in slow, pursed lip exhales and contemplative prayer. It seems to reset whatever chemical processes are going on in my brain to give me feelings of anxiety. For many, medication, psychological help, and counseling can bring needed relief.
May we all learn to be a loving, calming presence to any an all that experience anxiety. May we all treat every child of God as precious.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)