The Chipped Cup

Joyce Rupp in ‘The Cup of Life’ tells the following story: ‘One day my friend Pat told me about a bowl her mother had given her long ago. They had used it often for family gatherings over many years. The oriental design had faded and one side received a crack and several chips on it from so much use. Pat use to turn the ‘bad side’ of the bowl to the wall of the china cabinet, so the flaws would be less noticeable. Now, however, she turns the bowl’s faded chipped area to the outside of the room so all can see and enjoy the stories it has to tell. Pat explained that as she aged she began to identify with the bowl. I’ve got some definite character marks from life too.’ [pg 65, 1997].

Flaws and inadequacies come with the territory of being human. Like Pat’s bowl, we also have bumps, scratches, cracks and chips that keep us from being perfect vessels of life. We are flawed and we all have our own internal inadequacies or stains of the spirit. Being fully human is a paradox. Growing and becoming more of a person whose life resembles the values of Jesus is essential. At the same time my flaws are my greatest treasure …my imperfections keep my ‘ego’ in check. They remind me daily how much I need the grace of God.

Who does God draw to himself!

In the scriptures today do you notice the people God and Jesus his Son, called and drew to himself? They were often people who failed, people who were flawed! These very ordinary people were the ones God and his Son Jesus yearned to teach and to guide towards wholeness.

The prophet Isaiah, the disciple Paul and the Apostle Peter each acknowledge they are a sinner. ‘What a wretched state I am in. I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips’ cries Isaiah; ‘I persecuted the Church of God,  I hardly deserved the name Apostle, but by God’s grace that is what I am’ confesses Paul; and Peter falling on his knees says to Jesus: ‘Leave me Lord; I am a sinful man.’ Isaiah, Paul and Peter know their need of forgiveness but they are also aware of God at work in them.  It is in the context of their human lives and ours that God reaches out to us.

God reaches out to us in the way that God has always reached human beings - through our ordinary flawed lives. The scriptures today are very clear about God’s welcome of us, and to follow him as his Gospel messengers. In Peter, Jesus urges him to banish his fears and step out in faith to share the message of God’s goodness with others.

With Isaiah, Paul and Peter let us respond:  Here I am Lord – send me!    

   Marie Weatherall