My son, my son
by Colleen Fitzpatrick
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O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! (2 Samuel 18:33)
Talk about skeletons in Jesus’ family closet! Mind you, the ones that are referred to in today’s reading are about 25 greats back into the family tree in King David’s time. We have David committing adultery, and one of his sons, Amnon, commits incest. Another son, Absalom, seeks revenge for his sister by killing Amnon. Absalom also sets fire to a neighbour’s field when the neighbour won’t intercede with King David on his behalf. And when he is allowed to return from exile, he goes on to try to usurp his father.
What a family! Absalom doesn’t sound like a very nice person, even though he was a handsome man with a fantastic head of hair.
Yet King David loves Absalom, his wayward son. He grieves deeply for him when told of his death. You can hear the agony in his words, ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom. Would I had died instead of you’.
The grief of a parent is always lurking in the shadows, ready to emerge when a child is hurt physically or emotionally, when expectations are not met, when things go wrong, or when a son or daughter dies.
Loving parents want the best for their children. They want to be proud of them, to be able to brag to other parents about their achievements and the wonderful things that they are doing. But things aren’t always picture-perfect, are they? The hopes and dreams of our parents haven’t always come to fruition, and there are times when tragedy strikes a family, and parents may cry out in despair, just as King David did all of those years ago.
We have a Father in heaven who welcomes us into God’s kingdom. Maybe there are times when we cause our Heavenly Father to grieve – yet that Father is always there, ready and willing and waiting for us to come with our frailties and imperfections and welcome us with joy into his presence.
Of this, we can always be sure.
Heavenly Father, you sent your Son to die for us so that despite all of our frailties and failings, we can still be sure of your love and acceptance. Please help us to accept that love and let it shine through our lives into the lives of those who are near and dear to us. Amen.
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