Another quick reflection of "all" by William Willimon.
When i stand and read the Christmas Epistle, I announce before the congregation that the Incarnation is not just for those who are here on other Sundays but even for those who show up just on Christmas - "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all" (Titus 2:11).
In my classes at the university, it was my custom to grade more or less "on the curve." After all, I can't give A's to everyone. So to avoid grade inflation I was careful to give A's only to some, those in the upper 20 percent. God, Jesus says, is not like that.
There are always cries of that cannot be...it cannot be all that free and easy. Right!?! And yet this is completely wrong. It is what God does. Completely and always and eternally for us, God passes out the highest marks to each of us - beloved of God. It is that mark...that cross traced on our forehead - that sets the course of what will be. Before any performance, there is this awesome reminder of where we stand before God and the rest of creation. From that place we are pulled into the humanity that is ours from the very beginning of creation and will be at the end of all things. Then again, in the meantime we are too easily seduced by other words that are set on grading and weeding and throw some out. This "all" really must be an "all" or it is nothing new compared to the ways of the world.
Connection: It is difficult for me to imagine how Good News works. Although, some days and at some times, this striking Word of love lifts me up and helps me see things with new eyes. The promise is that it is always a Word available to all of us in all the days of our lives. When will we each hear it today - for us...and for all!!?!??!
Come, Lord Jesus, come and breathe upon us this breath that blows death and its many powers aways so that we can see your life that you hand to us and begin to stand within its bounds. Amen.
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