Relationships

For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. John 5:20-24

In a family, as within any community, relationships are wonderful and challenging at the same time. Conversations can turn into arguments and small things said can be held against someone for years. The possibility of mis-interpretation and hurt feelings seems magnified within families, and the people who have the best intentions can hurt others without trying. When we love we hurt sometimes. It is just the nature of human relationships, sibling relationships, parent-child relationships and relationships between spouses and partners. Human relationships, especially the closets ones, are complicated, tricky and always messy.

Divine relationships, on the other hand, as we hear from John's Gospel today, are completely different than human relationships. The trust and clarity between God and Son, the divine interlocking of spirits and understanding helps us to glimpse possibility rather than our regular expectation. The perfect relationship is between God and the Incarnate One, Jesus, and all other relationships are made perfect through their relationship, and not outside of that relationship. All relationships are sanctified through God's relationship to Christ Jesus. We are not to know perfection in our human relationships, but we can be invited to a deeper, more thrusting relationship through and in God.

Today, I want to give thanks for the relationships I have been given, no matter how messy or challenging they some times are. I also want to be grateful for the perfection in God through Christ, whereby, despite our human failings and brokenness, we can be made complete nestled in the arms of God.