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Reflection:

It’s easy to think of Jesus as not needing anyone.

Just out on a mission to save everyone. 

You know, clear the temples, turn kingdoms upside down, take on the religiously corrupt. Saviors don’t need relationships! Aren’t saviors solo acts?

But Jesus called His disciples friends. 

He stayed at friends’ houses. 

He had a mom. 

And brothers and sisters.

He was fully human.

Have you, being fully human, ever lived a life separate from relationships?

Did you not need someone to change your diapers as a baby? 

Did you not take a steady hand when learning how to walk? 

Did you not say, “Mama, look,” when finishing your

fourteenth Crayola masterpiece of the day?

Did you not confide a secret to your trusted bestie? 

Did you not giggle until it hurt with someone at an

inappropriate time?

Did you not let them buy you dinner when you were low on funds?

Did you not feel healed by a hug from someone who loved you?

Just like every human ever, at some moment Jesus sought a friend or a mom or a little sister for humor, compassion, nourishment, relatability, enjoyment. For belly laughs, hugs, inside jokes, maybe even high fives. That’s the way being fully human works.

Did He not receive nourishment as a baby?

Did He not live in a house that His parents provided?

Did He not wear clothes that others had meticulously woven?

Did He not learn to read from attentive teachers?

Did He not learn a trade so He could make a living?

Did He not join His voice to the chorus of singing?

Did He not know the joy of having friends?

Jesus’ incarnation is participating in the same dynamics we all participate in . . .

Which is no one who is fully human is an island... and WE NEED EACH OTHER TO BE FULLY HUMAN.

It’s easy to think of us as needing Jesus, but it’s pretty scandalous to think that Jesus would need us . . . 

Why is that again?

…

* this meditation is an excerpt from the book Honest Advent.