June 15, 2008

"A flourishing humanity on a thriving earth in an evolving universe, all together filled with the glory of God -- such is the theological vision and praxis we are being called to in this critical age of Earth's distress -- Elizabeth A. Johnson, C.S.J.

Many years ago, when I lived in the blue house by the lake, I was making the bed in an upstairs bedroom when I happened to look out the window; and on the porch roof a mother bird was teaching one of her young how to fly. I watched as she pushed the young bird gently off the roof and then flew under the bird to catch it and bring it back to the roof. She gently pushed the little one off the roof again and then flew under it and brought it back. She repeated this several times until the young bird flew by itself.

Sometimes I think this is how God teaches us to be his disciples. In Matthew, Jesus commissions the 12 apostles to go and proclaim that the kingdom of God is near. They are to go and cure the sick, cast out demons, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead. All these signs of new life will be evidence that a new time has come. In God's kingdom, all will be fed and healed in body and spirit.

This same mission is given to us. It's a lot to ponder. Jesus tells us all that we have --- our lives, health, family, friends, talents, and skills --- are gifts from God. We are to give of these gifts to help others. And, like the mother bird on the porch roof, Jesus nudges us to go and be a sign of God's love in our world. He is there to catch us when we start to fall, bring us back to him and nudge us to try again until, confident of God's love and care, we also learn how to fly.