Monday, January 11, 2021
Fullness
He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness, and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.
Paul speaks frequently of emptying himself so that Christ may be every more present. Paul often refers to himself as a slave in Christ. Yesterday we celebrated the baptism of Jesus and marked the end of the Christmas season. Today let us spend time with the idea that this small child is both human and divine. Let us examine what Paul might mean when he uses the imagery of slavery. And let us reflect on just how much we are willing to empty ourselves so that we might too receive God’s fullness.
“This is my beloved Son,” we hear in Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 3:13-17), “with whom I am well pleased.” Humans look for affirmation from their elders; we strive to please those who brought us life. We can imagine that Jesus is no different in that the affirmation he receives on the bank of the Jordan brings him both satisfaction and a certain amount of fear. Yes, he has done well and the creator has confidence that Jesus will complete his exodus from our world. And yes, he knows that struggles lie ahead.
Today we remember that God’s world is always inverted as Paul reminds us so that when we are empty we are truly full. Knowing this, we might allow our own sadness or desolation to bring us God’s fullness. We might seek affirmation from the one who created us. We might call on Christ and ask that he carry us through life’s turmoil when we are overwhelmed.
We need not fear what we do not know. We need not shrink from the hollowing out of ourselves. We only need call on the one who is all, for it is in this calling we will find that all emptiness is filled, and it is in this calling that we come to understand what it means to be Christmas people.
Tomorrow, the Fullness of Life.
Image from: http://bentohwestloop.blogspot.com/2012/03/humility-humiliation-and-humanity-of.html
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