asterisk.jpgI just love facilitating small group discussions.  When I thought of starting a weekly small group two years ago at St. George’s held on a weekday, I was not sure if it would take off, but now that I started up again after the Christmas break, it looks as though it is working, and working well.

This week’s readings suggest God’s love, and acceptance for all with the culmination found in the gospel reading from Luke surrounding Jesus’ baptism.

Since my group is all women, I thought I’d suggest a different way to look at the Luke version of baptism, comparing it to John 3:1-17 (the Nicodemus story).  The main task was to point out all the childbirth metaphors at play in Luke story; the people waiting with expectation, the heavens parting; all have hints towards child birth (more apparent in Mark’s baptism narrative, but a common thread).

One of my points was that in this passage we are given a feminine voice of God. Just as a mother gives birth, as she holds the child in her arms, a mother might say in her own way that “you are my beloved.” A mother would be “well pleased” before a child had done anything in life; as in the Luke version, Jesus is merely praying.

While we discussed Luke as compared to John, and the re-birth in the Spirit, I was amazed at how well the group of women connected to this concept, and we had a wonderful discussion. They were also made aware of the inter-connectivity of scripture, and how different points of view continually emerge. Once again, these ancient readings spoke anew to enlighten, and engage people.

I just love this area of ministry.