Presence & Solidarity
Being with - the greatest gift.
Matthew 1:18-24
Can presence be undersold?
This generation is adept at claiming solitude and independence, airing on about persuasions and the unavoidability of being an introvert - “The problem with the world is people.”
Let’s be clear, Jesus sought solitude seemingly every day. As much as he interacted with people and crowds - both on individual and group bases - he knew his need for silence, decompression, and space to recalibrate, think, and of course, pray.
But he wasn’t a recluse. And he continued to fulfill the role we’re reading about in today’s passage - presence. In the very beginning, before sinfulness even enters the story with a serpent and some fruit, God looked around creation and told the human - “It is not good for the adam to be alone.”
It’s perhaps because today’s generation seeks so much independence that people are so very lonely. Disconnection from others is one of the strongest marketing tools. But loneliness can seemingly be even stronger in the middle of a crowd. And God’s gift (“present” hardy-har-har) in Christ - and the forthcoming spirit - is firstly his presence. There’s no need for deep theological unwrapping here. It’s simply being with.
Being with.
You are not alone.
And our call is to make others feel not alone is of the same strand. Being intentionally present with another is a step toward solidarity. And as great as God’s gift of presence with us is, it’s the solidarity of taking on flesh that goes even further. One could be present with others without much concern for their well-being (though, the more presence is intentionally practiced, the harder it would be). But to be present is to move toward identification with who someone is and the specifics of their context. (This is within the conversation concerning empathy.)
Solidarity…not just present with in the physical, but present with in experience.
This is what it was and is for God to take on flesh in Jesus.
Presence and solidarity from the very beginning of life, being born just like you and me.
John Wesley, on his deathbed, said, “The best of all is, God is with us.”
Matthew 1:18-24
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn’t want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly. As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled:
Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son,
And they will call him, Emmanuel.
(Emmanuel means “God with us.”)
When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife.
Prayer
God,
Thank you for being with me, which is to be for me, with the best of intentions for who I am and what my life is. I’m not even always present with myself. I know it can be hard. So thank you for not leaving me.
Help me to receive your presence and the presence of others. Frankly, I tend to feel like it’s easier to be alone. The problem with people is people. But I also know that humanity is a beauty of creation.
So help me, God: make me to know your presence with me. And fill me in such a way with your goodness that I know my presence for and with others.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.