Luke 3:8-11
Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”
* * * * * * * *
I am pondering what Jesus would think of the explosion of interest in ancestry research and interest in knowing from which human clan our DNA sprouts. With a little spit, a few shekels and the click of the internet that information is now at our fingertips. The family tree information by itself is not a bad thing. It is at best curiosity, a nifty little hobby. But throughout human history, we have a tendency to wave our ancestry around in other people's faces. Growing up in New England, I endured the haughty postures of people whose people "came over on the Mayflower." Some, though definitely not all, people born on Galveston Island boast their "BOI" status like a badge of privilege over tourists and more recently settled island folk. Even worse, and dare I say evil, are those who claim a race or clan as more superior. Jesus pushed back on this posturing of ancestry. The WAY of the Gospel family tree is marked by charity. Unconditional love in action. The most important moment in the life of our family tree is what we do today for someone in need.
* * * * * * * *
What then should we do today, Lord, to reveal the Body of Christ? Amen
Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”
* * * * * * * *
I am pondering what Jesus would think of the explosion of interest in ancestry research and interest in knowing from which human clan our DNA sprouts. With a little spit, a few shekels and the click of the internet that information is now at our fingertips. The family tree information by itself is not a bad thing. It is at best curiosity, a nifty little hobby. But throughout human history, we have a tendency to wave our ancestry around in other people's faces. Growing up in New England, I endured the haughty postures of people whose people "came over on the Mayflower." Some, though definitely not all, people born on Galveston Island boast their "BOI" status like a badge of privilege over tourists and more recently settled island folk. Even worse, and dare I say evil, are those who claim a race or clan as more superior. Jesus pushed back on this posturing of ancestry. The WAY of the Gospel family tree is marked by charity. Unconditional love in action. The most important moment in the life of our family tree is what we do today for someone in need.
* * * * * * * *
What then should we do today, Lord, to reveal the Body of Christ? Amen
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