Sunday, December 08, 2013

Also Chosen


After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree, the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?”  Genesis 3:9

In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.  Ephesians 1:11-12

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word.”  Luke 1:38

Piety
Father, imagine how troubled we would be to know that the Lord is with us.  Really with us.  Like in the same homeroom. Reporting to the same boss.  Living in the house next door.  We would probably be more filled-with-Adam fear than filled-with-Mary grace. Help us to see the Jesus in our lives and react with some of the humility of Mary for we are chosen also.  Amen.

Study
There are probably not two more well-known stories in the Bible and popular Christian culture.  Adam and Mary seem opposites in so many ways.   But among the ways they are alike is that they are both troubled to be in the presence of the Lord. 

Adam is troubled because of his new-found knowledge.  Mary also is troubled by her new-found knowledge.  How they each channel that disturbance makes all the difference. 

Adam puts his will ahead of the will of God by deciding to eat the fruit which the Lord has instructed Adam to avoid.  Mary accepts the presence of the Lord in her life and surrenders her will to His.  Mary, accepts her role in salvation history filled with grace and fear.  Adam, just fear.

And grace has made all the difference.

Action
The most troubling part about these readings is tucked in the middle.  “We were chosen also.”  How will we react to this new-found knowledge?

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