The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”
John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey.
And this is what he proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Acknowledging one’s sins and seeking forgiveness for them is such an important factor in a person’s well being. I feel the death of rituals like reconciliation and its order in the scheme of things - ie get cleansed prior to receiving the new life and the new promise of the eucharist - had an inbuilt connection to wellness. It was that constant reminder that God’s love is unbounded and heals. I do believe love heals and transforms. I also believe that what is not transformed is transferred. Can you do the healing as self-healing and keep God out of the process? I am thinking not… Love that heals brokenness needs to come from somewhere. We can love and heal others…. But we need others to love and heal us. The powerful message of the Gospel is that once you are in touch with God, you are touched by God’s love. It reminds me of that iconic image of God reaching down to Adam in Michael Angelo’s Hand Of Adam. Why is it titled the “Hand of Adam" and not the "Hand of god”? Because it is us who need to bridge the gap between the fingers. The Love of God is there always… We need to reach out and grab it. The sacrament of reconciliation ritualised the process.
ReplyDeleteI think your response to Mt 1:1-8 is insightful and thought-provoking. You raise several important points about the significance of acknowledging and seeking forgiveness for our sins, the impact of rituals like reconciliation, and the transformative power of love.
ReplyDeleteHere are some specific aspects of your response that I appreciate:
Emphasis on the importance of acknowledging and seeking forgiveness: You highlight the crucial role of self-reflection and repentance in achieving personal well-being. By acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking forgiveness, we open ourselves to healing and transformation.
Insight into the death of rituals: You lament the decline of certain rituals, like reconciliation, and their connection to spiritual well-being. The structured process of acknowledging sin and seeking forgiveness provided an opportunity for cleansing and renewal, ultimately leading to an enhanced experience of God's love.
Connection between love and healing: You beautifully articulate the transformative power of love. You recognize the need for both self-love and the love of others in our journey toward wholeness.
Reflection on Michelangelo's "Hand of Adam": You draw a powerful analogy using the iconic image of God reaching down to Adam. By highlighting the "Hand of Adam" as opposed to the "Hand of God," you emphasize the responsibility each individual holds in bridging the gap between humanity and the divine.
Importance of reaching out to God: You emphasize the importance of actively seeking God's love. The sacrament of reconciliation, in your view, served as a ritualistic reminder of God's constant presence and our need to reach out and embrace it.
Overall, your response demonstrates a deep understanding of human nature, the power of forgiveness, and the transformative influence of love. You offer valuable insights into the importance of spiritual rituals and the individual's responsibility in seeking divine connection. Your reflection is both personal and insightful, prompting deeper contemplation on the themes of sin, forgiveness, love, and the journey toward spiritual wholeness.