Hi everyone,
Lately our daughter has been asking me who I felt is my favourite child. I told her what any good parent would say, which was “not you.”
Of course, I was kidding (not about saying that, but kidding in that I don’t mean that). I assured her that I don’t have a favourite but I love them all the same. She didn’t seem to understand that and prodded more. So I told her that she is my favourite daughter. She retorted that she is my only daughter. And so I replied that means she is also my least favourite daughter.
Truth is, I never really understood how parents would say that they didn’t have favourites until I became a parent. I didn’t get how anyone would love a group of kids of different personalities, needs, wants, and annoying habits all the same. I couldn’t grasp the notion of not showing any partiality, but seeing individuals as equals in spite of their differences.
But now as a parent, it makes total sense. I don’t have a favourite. I love them all equally. How much I like them at times, however…
Here are the readings for next week:
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Mark 16:1-8
John 20:1-18 (the alternate gospel)
You’ll notice that I’ve included the alternate gospel in the readings, as I believe the two perspectives from Mark and John gives a fuller picture of this already wonderful story.
Wonderful, but also confusing.
Confusing in that it seems like the two accounts don’t line up. Confusing in that we don’t really know who was first to the tomb, what they found, and what they did after. Confusing in wondering which to trust to have the real facts of the story.
But then I see how the minute details don’t really matter. Who was where, who said what, who did or didn’t, is somewhat inconsequential. How the two accounts that we get for this day don’t seem to jive on everything doesn’t make a difference because they jive on the most important thing: that the tomb is empty, the Lord can be seen, Christ is risen indeed!
And in that we see, as pointed out in the first reading, that God shows no partiality. Christ has been risen for the forgiveness of all. God loves us all equally.
Equal in that we were all sinners the same, and have been redeemed the same. Equal in that we can have the same role to play in the great grand scheme of life. Equal in that our salvation is gracious and merciful and planned, instigated, and carried out by God and God alone.
So as we move through this Holy Week, may we see our eternal welcome into God’s kingdom and family, knowing that we are cherished, loved, and redeemed without question, condition, or partiality.
Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!
Photo by Bruno van der Kraan on Unsplash