Our Pneuma Divina question for this coming Sunday, Dec. 12, is: Where do I seek God’s guidance with respect to my immediate or extended family?
You may have a question concerning your relationship with a spouse or partner, with a child or an in-law. You may wish to explore the contours of a conflict, or seek guidance regarding how you can be a helpful spouse, parent, or relative to someone you love. Whatever the case, make sure your question is specific and personal. Often, finding the right question is just as important as finding an answer.
The scripture we’ll be exploring this Sunday has to do with some radical things Jesus had to say about family. We’ll be asking you to identify a phrase or verse that stands out in your mind based on the reading of two passages: Matthew 10:34-39 and 12:46-46 (I’ve pasted the text below).
We’re also pleased to be joined via Skype by Kimberly Knight, of Atlanta, GA. Kimberly has a very powerful story to tell regarding a rupture with her biological family, and a dramatic reconciliation – both caused by same thing: their attempt to be faithful to themselves and God! Kimberly’s “day job” is with the Beatitudes Society – an organization dedicated to nurturing an emerging generation of Christian leaders in the areas of justice, peace, and compassion rooted in Jesus’ Beatitudes. After the first of the year (Jan 9th to be exact), we’ll be starting a nine-week series on Jesus’ Beatitudes. We’re looking forward to that series and to being joined by folks in Beatitudes Society chapters across the country!
Here are the texts for this Sunday:
Matthew 10:34-39
34 ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. ?35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; ?36 and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. ?37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 12:46-50
46 While [Jesus] was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. 47Someone told him, ‘Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ 48But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ 49And pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! 50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’
