When the faithful welcome the breaking of Gods word into relationships, politics, and economics, hope arrives. Adopted as Gods sons and daughters, people begin to make the reign of God their greatest loyalty.
Our lectionary readings offer transcendent visions, but always in the service of where we are - incarnational theology. Isaac finds Rebekah. Jacob unites with Rachel. The pearl is found, the mustard seed takes root, and the 5,000 feast.
This month, divine messengers visit Jacob at night, once in a dream and once as he journeys, wrestling Jacob to a draw yet blessing him with a new name - Israel (Genesis 28 and 32). God intervenes in Pauls life, demonstrating that as creation is redeemed, so too are the early Christians adopted as Gods children, just like the people of Israel (Romans 8 and 9).
There is nowhere we can go where God will not visit, bless, and reunite us. When Jesus comes, he loves and blesses the multitude. Social divisions and ongoing injustices in our time may be among the greatest heresies in the face of a kingdom-of-God theology.
Pause and consider: African Americans had a 10.8 percent unemployment rate last year, compared to 4.7 percent for their white counterparts. In 1960, black men earned only 50 cents for every dollar earned by white men; by the year 2000, the figure had only improved to 64 cents on the dollar. Will Gods divine messengers stop by?
July 3
The Dance of Blessing
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45:10-17; Romans 7:15-25; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
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