Rebecca at the Well by Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini ; Wikipedia CCL
Meditation
Sunday, Ordinary 14/Proper 9, asked the basic question, “Do you get it? Or did you miss t the point?”
The Psalmist told of the Princess, who ‘got it’ and presented herself joyfully so that all nations would praise her.
The Old Testament lesson in Genesis told of Abraham’s oldest and trusted servant, Eliezar, who promised to return to Abraham’s land and find a wife for Isaac from his people. The story of Eliezar prayer to God to lead him to the right people being answered by Rebekah coming to the watering hole and being the one who offered to water his camels.
Indeed Rebekah was a cousin of Isaac. Eliezar had followed God’s guidance and he providentially landed in Rebekah’s home. He bargained for her as Isaac’s wife and came home with the woman, who became the mother of Jacob and Esau.
In the New Testament epistle to the Romans, Paul wrote of his struggle with doing the wrong things while wanting to do what pleased God. He aptly described the constant war within the Christian’s life between the old life and the new life in Christ.
The New Testament gospel lesson provided a window into Christ’s view of people on earth. What were they like? Like children who chose to be the opposite of whatever was offered. Reminded me of a child going through the terrible twos—everything being a “No.”
Jesus said John came not drinking and eating, and people called him demon possessed. Jesus came eating and drinking and they complained about him being with tax collectors and sinners. Either way, the powers that be whined and complained. They didn’t get it.
This attitude is pervasive today. People, even ‘religious’ people, don’t get it. They criticize God’s work in the unusual connections—people who interact with gangs, prostitutes and convicts. They don’t want “them” in their back yard.
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