The great game changer
by Colleen Fitzpatrick
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… this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8b).
Read Ephesians 3:1–13
The incarnation of Christ – his being present in the flesh here on earth – and his consequent ministry were making a significant difference. Not only was the mystery of Christ – that through him anybody can be saved by grace – revealed, but Paul has been actively promoting this good news. The fact that Gentiles – as well as Jews – can be saved is a game changer.
Removing this barrier opens the way for the good news of God’s grace and generosity towards all to be spread throughout the world.
Have you noticed in this week’s readings the mentions of God’s generosity to us all – no matter who we are or what we have done? It’s something I find incredibly appealing and appallingly challenging. The implications of God’s grace mean that no-one is ruled out by the definition of who they are.
Paul refers to the mystery of Christ that was not revealed to humans in the past. As Christmas approaches, I love to soak up the wonderful choral options surrounding us at this time. One of my favourite pieces is ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ (O great mystery). The translation is:
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the newborn Lord,
lying in a manger!
We have seen the infant
and the choirs of angels
praising the Lord together.
Alleluia!
The poetry in this piece of music marvels at how amazing our God is. God brings the news of the birth of Jesus to the world through choirs of angels, and even the animals share in the mystery. Maybe it’s fanciful – maybe it’s true. We don’t know the limits of what God can do and many of us certainly know of the sensitivities and responsiveness animals can show to humans.
What we do know is that through the revelation of the mystery of God’s presence among us, we can be assured of God’s grace being there for us. And that is a great game changer for you and me.
Mysterious God, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to live among us. Thank you for Jesus’ humanity and divinity. Thank you for the many ways we hear the message of Jesus’ birth – through art, music and the proclamation of the good news of the gospel. Amen.
Colleen lives in Adelaide with her husband, John. She enjoys reading, writing and keeping in touch with friends and family in Australia and overseas. After growing up in rural New South Wales, Colleen attended university in Sydney and then moved to Adelaide for two years in 1974. After meeting and marrying her husband, she has never left.
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