May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:19 NLT
Chickens
I love fried chicken. I love broiled chicken in lemon and garlic sauce. I love baked chicken with the Shake ‘n Bake extra crispy crust on it with a good amount of salt and pepper applied. But as much as I love chicken, I know that I would grow weary of it if I had to eat it every day. After only a very short amount of time, I would find it bland, dull and monotonous and predictably I would start whining that there should be more to life’s appetite than frequent fowl.
I love the Super Bowl. The culmination of a season’s worth of tough play condensed into a single super game has always provided a humongous level of excitement which, for a sports nut like me, makes for an extra special day of jockism. But I realize that if the Super Bowl were played out on a weekly basis, it would soon lose its fascination. Instead of eagerly sitting on the edge of my seat, I may find myself lounging at the back of the chair stealing glances at a Golf Digest magazine.
There is something intrinsic to our human nature that causes us to grow bored with too much of a good thing. St. Valentine’s day occurs once a year and we are encouraged to express our love for one another by exchanging beautiful cards and Whitman’s Samplers and feasting together at one of our favorite restaurants…which is all the good and proper thing to do…but would we grow tired of cards and chocolates and gorging if we were given the chance to do it every day?
Does the love of God suffer attention due to this same pitiful human malady of growing bored with gracious repetitions? Does attending church slacken because we require something constantly more exciting to look forward to; otherwise it becomes mundane? Does the regular reading and hearing of God’s word become fodder for snoredom? Do we find ourselves stating, “OK, I get it: God loves me. Been there, done that. Now where’s the next chili joint?”
In mulling these questions, let’s state the obvious: there is nothing…nothing…that compares with God’s love for us. The blessings we receive and the beauty of the earth are daily wondrous gifts. The Pittsburgh Steelers and St. Valentine’s Day are as miniscule to God’s love as an eel is to an elephant, but I realize that the comparison is not always so simple. God’s love for us may seem incalculable at times or even overwhelming, and as such, may become frustrating to fully understand. (Frustrations are things we like to avoid). Rather than contemplate the Omnipotent, it is often easier for us to just go and satisfy our needs with a big bowl of Cocoa Puffs so we end up like mindless chickens scratching out a superficial faith.
But the institution of Christ unscrambles all of this for us. It is comforting to know that a man walked this earth who was fragile in every way that we are and yet never ever forgot the love of his Father and never ever stopped praising him. His sacrifice simplifies our relationship with the Father, and as a result, makes it easier for us to continuously give thanks as we wait for the time when we can experience the inexpressible joy of spending eternity with God. While watching the Super Bowl, you may have noticed the placards in the stands with John 3:16 written on them. They are there for a reason. That verse’s distillation of our faith cuts to the heart of the matter so that even beer-guzzling, chip-munching football fans can appreciate on a regular basis that Christ died for them.
So in this time of year containing Super Bowls and St. Valentine’s Day, let’s remember that the author of all love extends his blessings to us not just on one day of the year but to every day of our lives. And we, as feeble non-feathered beings, must overcome our frailties and give joyful praise in unceasing measure.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We are not chickens who spend our lives searching obliviously for their next entomological meal. In your own image, you designed us; you created us; you sustain us. Help us to be forever grateful for the blessings and gifts you gave through your son Jesus. Let them never be forsaken or forgotten. Amen.
Contributed by Donald
Sunday February 13, 2012
Liturgical Year A: Week 12
Liturgical Color: Green
Sunday Gospel reading:
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany