Good morning all and welcome to the journey :)!
For me, Luke 1 is a reminder that GOD will use those who trust and submit to HIS methods for spreading The Good News.
Having said that, this chapter re-confirmed what has popped into my mind several times of late .... that Mary DOES deserve our reverance far more than what we (as non-Catholics) give her. OK, not worship her but certainly acknowledge her and revere her more than we do.
What an example she sets for us!
Discussion Point: Why an Immaculate Conception? Perhaps people would accept more readily that Jesus was Human if he was conceived with Joseph's 'input' and flooded with the Holy Spirit at birth or 'in utero'. I know that the intention was that Jesus would be 'pure', but what does that imply about GOD's plan for us to have sexual relations to produce life form .. in his image. Why leave that out of the equation?
That's all for my thoughts this morning,
Have a good day all and looking forward to getting into 'cyber-discussion' with you all :)
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An eight week journey of seeking God as we read.think.pray.live our way through the gospel of John
An Invitation
Please join us during this lead up to Christmas 2009 by doing the four things listed below. Anyone can join at any time throughout this 8 week period although obviously it would be best if you can begin with us on the first of November 2009.
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
8 comments:
I couldn't believe that as I read through Luke 1 so many things jumped off the page at me. I reckon I could reflect on this chapter alone for 52 days :)
The first thing I wanted to comment on is the proclamation in verse 37: "NOTHING is Impossible with God!" If we could only begin to grasp, believe and live this truth....
Immaculate conception? Well for me this is the critical beginning to a life that was truly God and truly human. I won't go into all the theological implications of this except to say that it is a vital part of the way we see Jesus.
Don't be shy everyone...click on the comment button and have your say.
Hi Chris Z here. As I read through Luke 1 this morning I was wondering about the importance of belief. When Zechariah questioned Gabriel by saying "How can I be sure of this?" (an understandable question), he was struck with speechlessness for his unbelief. However, Mary asked a very similar question; "How will this be...?" but is given an explanation. Only after this explanation does she express trust and surrender. Why did Mary get an explanation and Zechariah did not? Was there a difference in the way they asked?; a difference in their attitudes? It would seem that Heidi Baker has surrendered all and trusts God completely for everything. If I'm to emulate that, what attitude should I have? I'd like to be able to say "I'm your servant, may it be to me as you have said". Should I question God's promptings in my heart? Any thoughts?
I have always found Joseph's reaction the most lovely aspect of this history. For me this is not about sex, it is about Fatherhood. It is about the origin of Christ, God as Father not Joseph, not about the sexual act.
They are not yet married and he treated her with such unusual carefulness. She could have been stoned under law. He lovingly tries to take care of it quietly.
For his time, what an amazing man.
Good questions Chris. I reckon the difference between Zechariah's and Mary's question must have been one of attitude. Maybe Zechariah's question was "Are you sure???" whereas Mary's was: "I believe, tell me how this will happen". Either way it seems that blessing and believing go hand in hand.
I think we should evaluate God's promptings in our hearts as we seek to learn more about how he communicates with us, but next time an angel appears to tell us something I reckon submit and believe is the way to go.
One of the other things that struck me from Luke 1 is in the context of Heidi Baker emphasizing how important it is to be humble and hungry. In Mary's song she says:
God scatters the proud;
He lifts up the humble;
He has filled the hungry with good things; and
the rich are sent away empty.
I see some obvious parallels here!
I agree Richard: Joseph is a legend. The Nativity Story is an excellent movie which brings out some of these themes.
re the Immaculate Conception. Gemma, this is how I have understood this. Jesus was born - in order to die. The Divine Price paid to offset Divine Judgement. The PERFECT scarifice. No human could pay the divine price. Mary carried Jesus - but he was TOTALLY divine - ie - he had no genetic connections with Mary. This is in no way a denigration of the way in which our children are conceived - which is also part of Gods creative plan for us.
Thank you Rosaleen ..... I 'get it'! (As much as is humanly possible)
The words "PEREFECT sacrifice" and "genetic connections" spoke to me.
Blessings!
It is interesting to read everyones comments as I have read Luke 1. We have all read it & have similar but different thoughts. What kept jumping out at me was faith, obedience, belief & surrender.
I appreciate everyone's thoughts on the conception of Jesus but also have a differing view to Rosaleen's comment that "Jesus had no genetic connections with Mary."
I believe that although Jesus was definitely fully God he was also fully human and so his "genetics" came from both God his father and Mary his mother.
I agree Narelle: faith, obedience, belief and surrender are big themes in this first chapter.
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