12th Sunday - We are the Children of God.

The hero’s journey; a journey written of by countless writers for millennia. This journey was brought to more modern minds through the work of Joseph Campbell, an American Philosopher who profoundly influenced George Lucas, who then gave us Star Wars.

The hero’s journey is a discovery of self, of strength, and maybe joy.

One of the positive aspects of having a few more years under our belts is that we can have a stronger sense of self, and also what and whom is truly important. I find with older people, some matters can roll off their backs; meh, been there, seen it, done it.

Yet, younger people, less wise people, the drama can still get them! Things don’t go their way, or life throws a curve ball and boom there is heck to pay! People must be attacked, emails must be sent, tweets must be fired off, heads must roll…

But, also there are still older people who are way over dramatic, angry at a world that does not give to them what they want; and younger people who are calm and peaceful.

What makes the difference?

The first words from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah are truly beautiful: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” Jeremiah starts off with the knowledge that he is of God and God’s alone. It will be Jeremiah’s strength to be a prophet to do what God asks of him, and God will ask a lot of him. We hear in that first reading how Jeremiah stands up to his own people who strive to tear him down. Tear him down because he dares to call out their greed, their selfishness, their power plays; and how he calls them to trust in God.

Psalm 139 speaks of a self: “O God you have searched me and you know me….For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully made…” This was written by someone who has wisdom; maybe been through the crucible.

Matthew, Mark and Luke’s Gospel all write of Jesus’ temptation, but only Matthew and Luke give us a more in-depth story. Jesus’ identity is questioned, he is tempted to question who he is. Jesus remains firm; he is the beloved Son. And continually his identity will be questioned by his own people…who are you? How can you do such things? If you are who you say you are then prove it by doing this, that and whatever we want?

Jesus resists those too. He remains solid in his identity; he does not have to prove himself to anyone. He knows he is loved by God and he knows he loves God.

We will all face adversity, trial, challenges. And, we will all have moments in life when we will not get what we think we deserve nor what we desire. We will face a choice; to react or to act.  We can react based purely on our anger, our sadness; lash out, go sullen and pout. Reactions we see in children. Reactions because our sense of self is in our things, in our ego; in our desires.

The Disciple of Jesus, knowing that we too are God’s children, that all that we are as persons comes from God and God alone; that everything about us comes from Another; that we are loved incredibly by God… we choose to act, and act for the good.  We forgive, we mourn and hope; we surrender; we go forward.

The first generation of Christians that were admired the most were martyrs. These men and women, young and old, resisted the Empire and its power. These people who told the Empire you do not define us; God does.  Over two thousand years those Christians that resisted the same way have been likewise admired; even resisting the Church itself when it would go off rail.

More than likely we will not face an Empire trying to destroy us; and despite the critiques of some, there is no persecution of Christians going on in this country. Maybe our way of doing things is no longer the norm, but we still can worship and praise God.

What we will all face is that adversity in own lives; when we must ask ourselves who we are. And what is important. Disciples will always come back to being a Child of God and with that be able to manage the adversity and even rise above it. Disciples will seek out peace; will seek out reconciliation.

Those dependent upon their egos, attached to their status, their stuff, their ideas…will find themselves engulfed in forms of violence: they will find themselves wrapped in anger and resentment; fearful of those who may take away what they hold precious; wrapped in sadness at the loss of their perceived way of life.  

But, it is not always clear cut, and so obvious. Even the best of us will still falter; and some challenges will push us to our limits. Even the best of us, the most spiritually mature will have those moments when the hurt, the fear, the grief can be overwhelming.  Yet, here we are.

Jesus calls us here; to the Eucharist.

We are reminded by God we are loved; through Scripture, through a welcoming community and most especially in a Sacrament of love.  We are reminded that no matter what, no matter how horrible it can appear, no matter how crazy, no matter how mean others are…God loves us.

And nothing, nobody can take that away.

It is our strength. It is our strength to resist that desire to punish, and to rather forgive and reconcile.  It will be our strength to seek out hope and believe.  It will be our strength to discover our truest selves, and be the Children of God.