Quite a juxtaposition of figures yesterday and today.
The ship on the left is probably a Lambda-class T-4a shuttle, or some variation thereof, and the dude to the right is a OOM pilot battle droid. I have always loved the shuttle. Ever since it so lithely glided onto the screen in Jedi and the wings flipped up and down, I thought it was so cool, so slick. In contrast, in my opinion (using my I statements), battle droids are the Keystone Cops of the "saga," part and parcel of the larger failures of the prequel trilogy. Needless to say, they are idiots (he blogged in love).
I often feel like one of these two beings. Occasionally, I feel like I have it together - in control and in the groove. But most of the time, I am an idiot - I make poor decisions, I say the wrong thing, and forget what is important. I want to be the shuttle, but more often then not I am the droid (roger, roger).
This icon sits on my desk, just to the right of my keyboard, all year (not just in Advent or Christmas).
I hold it very dear. For one, it is beautiful. Second, it depicts the Incarnation, the foundational ingredient in my personal theology. Third, and probably most importantly, it belonged to my Great Grandmother Mary, a woman who is very important to me and with whom I am very close, even though she went to her reward when I was a senior in high school. It is often my silent companion as I write, pray, and think.
As I write, pray, or think, I often ponder the various characters depicted. Since I am a father, I often consider Joseph. Mary receives a lot of attention, especially this time of year (and rightly so), but Joseph and Joseph's decisions are important too. Here is a man of the house of David, upright citizen, and faithful to the Lord who receives the news that his betrothed is pregnant. Matthew informs us that, "Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly," (Matthew 1:19, NRSV). Before he can do so, the Angel appears and proclaims, "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," (Matthew 1:23, NRSV) which convinces him otherwise.
Joseph listened. If not, he may have put out the mother of God, the very Theotokos herself. Oops. He was trying to do his best, trying to react to the decision in a human but appropriate way, but that would have resulted in a massive mistake. But, he listened. Joseph heard the voice of God and he responded. And look what happened because of it.
In this Advent season, are you open to the voice of God. Are you listening? Are you going so fast, are you so busy, are you so anxious, are you so focused, that the Spirit can't squeeze a word in edgewise. If so, is that the best state of being? Are your best intentions prevented the incarnation of God in you heart? Something to consider. Maybe I should listen more.
Have a great day. See you Tuesday. Blessed Advent.
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