It's my Friday hibernation day when I try to pull together thoughts that will somehow create a sermon for the saints of Seneca Presbyterian Church - for good or ill. This week I've been pondering the Annunciation - that wonderful story when Gabriel visits Mary to tell her that she is to be - or ask her if she would be (the distinction is significant) - mother to the Christ child, to the one we know as Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary, the very presence of God in human flesh and blood.
As Protestants we come to Mary with a very different perspective than our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters. Certainly she is a remarkable human being. Certainly it is a mystery why God chose her of all women to be the mother of the Messiah. Certainly the story and the theological truths behind the story are fascinating and rich.
But as I begin this day of pulling together my thoughts, I am fascinated by the word "favored." I'm also intrigued that when the angels announce the Good News to the shepherds, our modern translations say "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those whom he favors." Just what does it mean? Have you ever felt "favored"? Does God "play favorites"? How does God intend for us to understand what it means to be favored?
So tell me - what do you think it means to be "favored" by God?
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI'm confused by your statement "or ask her if she would be (the distinction is significant)" because it doesn't look from the scripture like the angel asks her. But moving on to your question about favor, I think my current understanding comes from an experience in which I discovered what it feels like to be out of favor. I'm generally used to being well-regarded, but I had a job once working for a woman for whom I could do nothing right. I never could figure out why. It seemed the harder I worked, the more she disliked me. I think this is frequently how we see God--as someone we have to work hard to please--even though the Bible tells us it's impossible to be good enough. "Without faith it is impossible to please God." (Heb. 11:6) I think the idea of God playing favorites is thinking of God within human parameters, but his ways are higher than ours (Isa. 55:8). We in our human failings do play favorites. God in his righteousness hates wickedness, but "takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezek. 33:11) but instead is patient so all will have a chance to come to him (2 Peter 3:9). He’s much bigger than our understanding.
Oh dear, I think I'm writing you a theology paper.
I don't remember which psychology source said that you get what you expect from people--if you expect them to be pleasant to you, generally they will be...not always, but there's a better chance of it. This has pretty much been my experience. And my relationship with God became much more pleasant after I read how he longs to bless us (Isa. 30:18) and rejoices over us (Zeph. 3:17). We will have to deal with the consequences of making wrong choices, but "his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
I have no idea whether any of that is helpful. Hope your day is going well!
Melissa: As always, thank you for your thoughts. I wish I had time to do a complete theological study on the word "favor" throughout the Bible with all the Hebrew and Greek that finds itself translated with that English word. Your Psalm 30 text is just one fine example. But alas - I must put something down on paper for Sunday. May God's eternal favor shine down upon us!
ReplyDeleteNancy -- I really don't think God has favorites, but I do believe that some people are tuned into God in a way that allows them to be "favored" because they are in dialogue with Him. I also believe this is an intentional process which allows those who practice a quiet time for reflection and listening to be guided by the will of God.
ReplyDeleteWhat "anonymous" says is interesting, particularly in light of this week's lectionary reading about Simeon and Anna, the people in the temple who recognize the baby Jesus as the messiah. They are presented as being devout and guided by the Holy Spirit. They are "favored" with insight about jesus, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteIn regards to our congregartion having special talents, I would suggest that a large portion of our church moved here with the knowledge that this would likely be the last church they join. From that standpoint I think we have lots of compassion for all those who suffer loss, need help in the ageing process and simply respond quickly and with passion when we see the need. We are in line, who will be next, help those souls left behind, yet we know their turn will come, and they do it with joy.
ReplyDeleteChuck