God’s Family ‘ABC’ : ‘Affirm Bless Celebrate’

This ‘title theme’ (in #33 mode) follows-on from God’s Family : ‘Fatherhood and Motherhood’ (i.e. Blog 9/6/18). In the ‘former’ we pondered the ‘Source’ of God’s Family, while in the ‘latter’ we will reflect on the ‘Summit’ of God’s Family.

The ‘ABC’ designation means we’re referencing ::: (a) “the school around the corner” (where we were taught our ‘ABC’s) ::: (b) our “faith formation familiarity” (where we practiced our ‘ABC’s) ::: (c) this website’s (‘Konect 1-2-1’) ‘front page buttons’ (where we explore ‘social / spiritual’ aspects of our ‘ABC’s).

In a sense we are contemplating our ‘basic human commonality’ as presented in the parable of the “Prodigal Son / Daughter” (Luke 15:11-32) ::: we are ‘born into family’ ::: we ‘grow up in family’ ::: we ‘disconnect from family’ ::: we ‘test out possible family’ ::: we ‘come home to family’. And all the while we ‘struggle in suspense mode’ – between being LOST and being FOUND – not always recognising and realising the great paradox of LIFE – where all opposites coincide in God.

‘Everyone wants and needs to be Accepted’

– this is ‘Family LIFE’ hidden in clear view –

Yes, the essence of ‘Family LIFE’ – applies as much to ‘father / mother‘ as to ‘son / daughter’ – “you are my son, today I have begotten you” (Hebrews 5:5 / Psalm 2:7 / Acts 13:33) – which may be restated, as follows : ‘you are child, today I have become parent’. Yes, indeed, both ‘children’ and ‘parents’ long for ACCEPTANCE at a ‘human’ level and at a ‘spiritual’ level. Note: (as per the Prodigal story) ::: God (‘The Father’) ACCEPTED his son – ‘giving him his share of the family inheritance’ – but, the Father is not ‘Father’ until the son ‘comes home’ and (thereby) ACCEPTS the Father as ‘Father’.

So, the core issue of Family LIFE is “‘RELATIONALITY’” (‘reciprocal / mutual / complementary’) – as defined in this website’s VISION statement – ‘Everything is GIFT to make human life COMMUNION with God’ / ‘All we have to do is AFFIRM BLESS CELEBRATE Everything’.

This foundational ‘precept principle precursor (a la John the Baptist’s role)’ was set down as an example for Family LIFE in the “Finding in the Temple” (Luke 2:41-52). When Jesus was twelve years old he went up to the Temple with Mary and Joseph. On the way home Jesus was ‘seen to be missing’ and his parents returned to Jerusalem to ‘search for him’. On the third day they approached the Temple to tell God of their sorrow and to ask for mercy. There they found him among the Teachers, listening to them and asking questions and all were astonished at his wisdom. Mary asked Jesus : “son, why have you done this to us?”. Jesus replied : “I must be about my Father’s business”. Thus – Jesus’s “‘LOVING RELATIONSHIP’” with his Heavenly Father  was revealed – Jesus had come on earth ‘to manifest the Father’s glory’. This, too, is our ‘purpose’ in LIFE. And, Jesus (son of Mary and Joseph) returned home and was subject to them (his ‘parents’).

In all the above, you may have noticed the ‘interplay’ of ‘human’ and ‘spiritual’ roles in LIFE. As per previously mentioned Blog ::: ‘Fatherhood / Motherhood’ stands for ‘Creator / Creation’. In reality, we are ::: ‘spiritual beings’ seeking to be ‘human beings’ ::: we are not ::: ‘human beings’ seeking to be ‘spiritual beings’.

As the Bible says ::: “Call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). And, St. Paul warns us – “I have become your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel “ (so, ‘imitate my actions’) – – – “The kingdom of God is not in talk but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:15/20) ::: ‘meaning’ ::: ‘God’s Kingdom is ultimate reality’ (i.e. ‘God’s power’ at work in our lives).

Ok, then, you may well ask : “HOW DO I RESOLVE” this ‘heavenly / earthly’ conundrum? And, “HERE’S THE ANSWER” to the question (‘I thought you would never ask’). Believe it or not, the ‘Konect 1-2-1’ front page has the ‘KEY’ hidden in the ‘VIA’ logo. If you ‘touch’ the ‘VIA’ logo : six subsidiary pages of ‘explanations’ present themselves for ‘PONDERING ’ ::: and, if you ‘touch’ the friendly ‘ABC’ Buttons (further down) you will discover WAY OF LIFE ‘Concepts’ / ‘Blogs’ / ‘#33’ that (hopefully) ‘shed light’ on God’s (‘great and good’ universal) Family.

In summation: All we have to “do” is ::: ‘Affirm Bless Celebrate’ the Gift of LIFE

Daniel (www.konect-1-2-1.com) 8/7/18