One of us

The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father’s only Son.  (verse 14)

Read Luke 2: 1-20

In Calcutta Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity committed themselves to serve ‘the poorest of the poor’. There was nothing romantic about this work. It involved caring for people with maggoty sores and ugly growths, people with leprosy, old and diseased people who had been left in the gutter to die. Very early Mother Teresa decided to be ‘an Indian among Indians’. She adopted Indian citizenship and wore the clothing of the poor: a simple rough cotton sari.

God went even further. He became a human being among human beings. He adopted our humanity. He wore our flesh and blood. Like Mother Teresa, he came where there was disease, filth and death. The holy God came to live among sinners, the poorest of the poor.

This is God’s grace, his truth and his glory. He comes to touch you, the untouchable. He comes to pick you out of the gutter. He cleans you and feeds you. He dresses your sores and treats your sickness.

Remember how God became a human being for you. Think about how you can become more human towards those who need your help.

Dear Lord, thank you for taking on my flesh and blood and coming to help me. Show me how I can be of help to those who are in need. Amen.

by John Pfitzner, in ‘Assurances for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2004)

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