Daily Readings: Psalm 80:1-7; Isaiah 66:7-11; Luke 13:31-35

At that very hour some Pharisees came to him [Jesus] and said, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'” Luke 13:31-35, NRSV

There’s a time when children no longer want their mother hugging them, no longer want their father to say I love you. They don’t return the embrace or the words in public, sometimes for years. It’s part of growing up, this separation from those who have loved and cared for them since birth – and continue to do so! Their inner dialogue is no longer shared, and they do their best to keep their longing for comfort hidden.

The good news: it’s a stage that most outgrow. The loving words and embraces return.

The same seems to be true in our relationship with God. When we are growing, we go through a time of pushing God’s offer of love and help away; we refuse the very love we most desperately want and need. Sadly, we don’t always grow out of this.

Perhaps one of the reasons God-With-Us came as a helpless infant is so that we could say I Love You and gladly embrace the divine.