3.17.19

In a book that largely uses male imagery for God, Jesus compares Himself to a mother hen. This is refreshing, I must admit. Even when the Gospel of John paraphrases a Hymn to Sophia, the feminine aspect of god in the Hebrew scripture, to name what aspect of God became flesh, John masculinizes the hymn. So a straight out feminine comparison from Jesus’ own mouth is welcome indeed.

It is of course, also an image of shielding, an image in both the psalm and the Old Testament passage today. In the past I’ve preached on the dark cloud on the mountain of transfiguration as a calming presence in which to enter lent. Today’s readings, though, present much better imagery. 

Many folks I know have been so wounded by the image of God that will send to hell if you mess up, or even for things that are completely out of your control, that Lent just becomes an exercise in self-flagellation. That is NOT the kind of vulnerability I’ve been talking about. That does not allow for a good relationship with god.

The vulnerability I’m talking about is the kind of vulnerability that comes from resting in the mercy and love of God. To honestly look at one’s behavior, to be willing to feel remorse for deeds and not feel the kind of shame where you think your very self is wrong – is truly vulnerable. Self-loathing, in my experience, actually clouds the mind of truly being able to own your shit. We all shit. Not all of us look at it before we flush.

Keep in mind this lent that God loves you, feels merciful towards you, and will shelter you when you expose yourself to Her. She is not waiting for you to slip up so she can get you. “Tell mommy all about it, I won’t be mad.” An open and contrite heart, God will not despise.