Greetings

I wonder if any of you own an old family Bible?  It might be that it is a fairly new edition, a wedding gift, or it might be one of those old heavy volumes, a prized position which has been passed down through the generations.  We have two in our house – one from Tony’s paternal grandmother’s family and one from my maternal grandfather’s family. 

With family trees and entries dating back to the 1820s they both provide something of a story with family births, baptisms, marriages and deaths recorded.  They are certainly a useful tool when trying to piece together family history.

Over the next couple of months, the lectionary leads us on a journey of discovery through the books of 1 and 2 Samuel.  These books are really two volumes of the one text which continue to share the one story.  These volumes showcase something of a family history as we encounter installation of the monarchy and all that entails. 

Like all histories there are moments of triumph and disaster and readers are reminded of the frailty in humanity which is often expressed in the failings within human systems.  Yet, the installation of the monarchy comes at the request of the people, who demand a king so that they will be like everyone else, and God allows them to have what they want.  As the story unfolds we are witness to the people’s discovery that having a king comes at a cost.  We also witness God’s continuing love and mercy.

As Australians we have a story which also has moments of celebration and tragedy.  At times these moments can be one and the same depending where you sit, a position which can be based on the narrative of your own personal history.  Many believe that now is the time in which to take a stand, be honest about our history and change things for the good of all. 

It is important to remember that whatever governs our behaviour, God is a God of mercy and love who has been present in this country long before any of us were here.  It is this very same God who invites us to write our history and immerse our story within God’s story.

I wonder what people will discover when they look back at our story?

Blessings – Heather.