Who do the crowds say I am ~ in my heart, in my life, in my stillness

Emmanuel ~ God is with us.

How many times have we found this to be true even when we’ve ‘stepped back from God,’ if you will?  God came to us in the Garden. God came to us at the tomb.

I hope to talk about the times God came seeking our assistance; to work with us ~ Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, The Twelve, Preparation of the Gifts for the Eucharist.  I loved touching on the times God came to us just to visit ~ Abraham & Sarah, The Transfiguration. A few times God talks about us with others ~ Job, The Tower of Babel ~ I really need your help with that one.

Today, let’s talk about Jesus asking us, “Who do the crowds say I am?”

This blows me away...I hear Human Jesus seeking affirmation from us.  How Human...The Word Incarnate...The Word Made Flesh...the very human Jesus.  I ask my friends, my family this very question every time I am introduced to new people, ‘Do you think they liked me?  Did I make a favorable impression? Am I making sense?  Do people get what I am talking about, what I am doing here?  Is what I am doing enough?’  I hear Jesus asking me these same questions...God has a crush on me...

I pray I am not afraid to ask God the same questions.

I remember the first time I had a crush on someone. I asked a mutual friend, ‘What do you think?  I like (that person).  Do you think (that person) likes me?’  I hear God asking me, 'do you like me? I love you. Do you love me?'

WARNING ~ tangent

I suppose you’ve figured out at this point...I hold to a pretty Low Christology.  I know most contemporary theologians...christologists...moved away from Low/High Christology.  I miss this linear thought.  It helps me to better understand...to better feel...to better pray...when I recognize how I ‘got there,’ if you will.  See, when I think...feel...pray...with human Jesus I know...feel...am still...in God’s love because God walked a mile in my shoes, if you will, with “nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bread, no haversack, no coppers” -- just our company.  I find I hold that Emmanuel is constant...always...because “the kingdom of God is within (me)."  Again, I am challenged with ‘what comes first:  attitude or behavior?

Alright…

Alright…

Alright…

I hear Jesus’ orders not to tell anyone about being The Christ differently.  I hear him thinking, ‘I believe that, too...don’t tell anyone...I am not ready...thank you for affirming me...affirming my message...Emmanuel...God is Love…’

whoa...

let's sit back...feel our hearts beat and sigh