John spoke about him and shouted, “This is the one I told you would come! He is greater than l am, because he was alive before I was born”. Because of all that the Son is, we have been given one blessing after another. The Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ brought us undeserved kindness and truth. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like. ‘
John 1: 15-18
Reflect on the word GOD for a few moments.
“Mum, what is God like?
The mother paused and looked into the face of the five year old.
“I am not sure dear. Do you know what God is like?”
“Sure! God makes me feel all warm and safe and happy. So I guess God looks warm
and safe and happy! Got to go Mum. See ya!”
The mother smiled and continued her interrupted task.
How do we know what God is like? Do we look for answers in our church traditions and liturgy? In sermons and religious writings? In our own feelings of religiosity and spirituality?
Do we look for answers in attitudes that sanction what is right and lawful? Do we try to impose our understanding of God on others, without pausing to hear another point of view?
When we look at Jesus do we see who God really is? Or do we see Jesus and continue to see God as we think God should be like? How do we know what God is like?
Living God, let me not confuse your revelation through Christ with my limited human understanding of who you are.
© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera
For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.
When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.
The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.