Scripture:
Reflection:
This is the message you have heard from the beginning:
we should love one another… –1 John 3:11
Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth
and reassure our hearts before him. –1 John 3:19
Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip.
And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” –John 1:43
This Christmas season we had the opportunity to see the Broadway on Tour production of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Now, this isn’t going to be a review of the show, but I will say a lot was added to the story that wasn’t in the book I remember reading with my mother. However, one song that caught my attention was “Santa for a Day.” In this song, little Cindy Lou Who (if you don’t know what a Who is, go read the book) sings to the Grinch (a big meany) that he is her Santa for a day and that they belong “Heart to heart.”
This got me thinking about belonging. One of the most terrible punishments we exact on people is solitary confinement, putting someone apart from everyone. Many societies throughout the ages have used shunning as a method to ensure compliance with the standards of behavior in the community. Even the Holy Family are told on Christmas Eve that there is no place for them. But Jesus Emmanuel, God with us, comes anyway, despite the world’s best efforts to shun Him.
The message He brings is one of belonging. In fact, it is this very aspect of His teachings that most riles the authorities of that time, and even today — that everyone belongs. The religious authorities (then and now) who value their positions as ‘holy gatekeepers’ are incensed at the idea that just anyone can enter into the kingdom of heaven, that our heavenly Father would actually allow “those people” to be in His presence.
As Jesus gathers His disciples in today’s reading, He doesn’t go to the temple or the palace. He chooses to go where the poor, the broken, the common people are. He calls to them, “Follow me.” He still calls today to all of us, “You belong, follow Me.”
Talib Huff is a retired teacher and a member of the retreat team at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California. You can contact him at [email protected].