“Woman, here is your son… Here is your mother”
“E tai, nanā, tāu tama!”…Nā, tōu whaea!
25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
John 19:25–27 (NIV)
Pete’s ponderings : Who are we responsible for ? The Intertwined branches and roots say something of the interconnectedness of us all. On the other side of the door is a much bigger picture. Being pushed by God on a swing is whimsical, freeing.
Colin’s chewings : Family has always been about blood. Jesus, by wa yof his blood redefines family to be more than who you are related to. It’s act of whakawhanaungatanga. One of the marks of the early church was that it broke open the ties of physical family to embrace any and everyone. Like when couples foster children, they chose relationship. When Christian community is working the way it is supposed to, people are brought together who have absolutely nothing in common, except the grace of God. .
Questions for reflection
- What does the word whānau mean to you ?
- Is there a family in the bible who fits your family ?
- Who is your life has become a chosen family member ?
- How can we as a church act as family together ?
Can you think of any practical examples ?
- What are we asked to do as part of the family of God ?
- What does the ‘swing’ mean to you ?