|
Background
This reflection
returns to the theme
of stewardship as a
way of life.
Although the first
discussion question
invites group
members to merely
speculate on what it
might have been like
for Mary to have
been present
throughout the 33
years of Jesus' life
on earth, do not
treat this time
lightly. It is
likely to elicit
some very rich and
rewarding sharing
among the women of
your group. Then you
will be able to move
the group to
contemplate their
own faith journeys
with God as a way of
life.
Reading
The
Birth and Death of
Jesus
Luke 1:26–38 and
John 19:25–27
Reflection
From
the moment Mary was
told she would be
the mother of Jesus
until the day Jesus
charged the beloved
disciple with the
care of his mother
at the hour of his
death, Mary was
present for her son.
She embraced her
relationship with
God as a way of life
from the beginning
and she did not
waver, even when it
looked to everyone
else as though all
was lost.
Mary
could have done
otherwise. Unmarried
at least at the
start of her
pregnancy, Mary
could have abandoned
the child at birth.
She did not. When
Jesus began his
public ministry,
some people feared
that he was losing
his mind (Mark
3:20-21). Still,
Mary did not disown
her son. When
finally the crowds
turned against
Jesus, Mary remained
faithful -- at the
cross, at the grave,
and beyond.
Our
relationship with
God is, like Mary's,
a way of life. It is
not a program that
we follow for a few
weeks. It is not a
campaign that we
join until the
election is over. It
is not a quick
course in Christian
ethics.
Our
relationship with
God, through good
times and bad,
through times of
faith and times of
fear, through
sorrows and
celebrations,
defeats and
accomplishments and
changes, is a way of
life. Just ask Mary.
Discussion
| 1. |
What do you
think it might
have been like
for Mary to be
the mother of
Jesus? |
| 2. |
What
are the
similarities
and
differences
between your
faith
journey and
your job,
career,
educational
pursuits,
hobbies,
commitments
to family,
and church
membership? |
| 3. |
When
you think of
your
relationship
with God as
a way of
life, what
images does
that bring
to mind?
What other
"ways
of
living"
have you
embraced?
How do they
support or
conflict
with your
relationship
with God? |
| 4. |
Our
congregations
launch
stewardship
programs at
budget time
every year.
How could or
do these
programs
encourage
stewardship
as a way of
life? |
| 5. |
What
changes
could you
make in your
life to
convert
personal
stewardship
from a
program to a
lifestyle? |
Prayer
God of our sojourn,
you have invited us
to walk with you.
You have sustained
us through
difficulties; you
have celebrated with
us our successes and
endured with us so
many changes. We
have embraced you
and abandoned you
and embraced you
again, and you
remain faithful.
Bless our journey in
faith with your
peace, your comfort,
your constancy. Amen
Written
by Susan K. Wendorf
for Women of the
ELCA. Copyright ©
1995 Women of the
Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America.
All rights reserved.
May be reproduced
for use by Women of
the ELCA in
congregations
provided each copy
carries the
copyright notice
above. For
all other purposes, contact
us.
|
