Monday 28 December 2009

Once again I think this is a good piece around the Nativity of our Lord - by Michael Battle.

Through a theological Ubuntu, the christian concedes the need to be transformed to a new identity, a new perspective that fully encompasses the truth which Tutu states: "God does not love us because we are lovable, but we are lovable precisely because God loves us. God's love is what gives us our worth." And yet, as Tutu's Ubuntu theology unfolds access to a new identity for South Africans, it also appeals to ancient African concepts of the harmony between individual and community which Kenyan theologian John Mbiti summarizes as: "I am because we are, and since we are, therefore I am."

I was thinking that this is even the case for our God. God is because we are. What I mean by that is the very important move of our God to become one in full communion with us. God is made known among us - in Jesus. Without the community being a place of recognition and revelation, what would we know about the character of our God and the depth of love that is the God we praise. So, as we saw from this Sunday's gospel, the 'tribe' from Nazareth went down to Jerusalem for Passover. It was a 'we' event not meant for loners. In the middle of that group was the God Incarnate making sense of what it is to be so human and so intertwined in community and yet so vitally involved in the transformation of community. Even for Jesus, "God's love is what gives us our worth." it is a love that sets the foundation for each of God's beloved and for the whole bunch of us when we live alongside one another.

Connection: Built into the community of Christ is the face of our God that continues to remind us of a love that transforms us. That face comes to us through all people - even enemies who attempt to assert themselves or belittle others. The face is present even when we do not remember to look up and see its hopeful character.

Blessed are you, O God. Blessed is the fruit of your Reign that is life abounding in hopefulness and love. Grant us a full measure of this blessed presence. Amen.