From Generation to Generation

By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain

Australian audiences have come to love the series Old People’s Home for Four-Year-Olds and the recent adaption Old People’s Homes for Teenagers (both on ABC iView). It is heart-warming to see the way the adults and the young people are transformed by the experience as they spend time together. By the end of their official time together, many deep connections have formed and there is often a commitment to keep in touch and remain in each other’s lives. There is a real sense of being seen and known as a human being with a history, personality, wisdom, and interests, and not a label.

I’ve just returned from an inter-generational holiday to Wollongong. It was lots of fun, as we did every indoor activity available, while also making the most of the sunshine when it emerged. Families are usually the people that we are related to, however people can also “become part of the family” as they are invited to share life together. Amid the serious challenges of housing affordability in Australia, the story of 82-year-old Quinta and her 28-year-old housemate Zac is a model that could provide a way forward for people in similar situations. Quinta and Zac found that living together worked financially and had the benefit of companionship and friendship.

The Gospel of Matthew begins by locating Jesus within his family tree (Matthew 1: 1-17). Jesus is both the Christ, the anointed one, and the one who comes from the line of Abraham and Sarah, David and Bathsheba, connecting him with his Jewish history and heritage. At the same time Jesus is a boundary-crosser who finds family in unexpected places amongst those who follow him and join his movement.

The artist Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman has created a poignant artwork called Genealogy of Christ, where the stories of the women mentioned in Jesus’ lineage are highlighted. These stories are not easy ones. They contain both redemption and oppressive structures and circumstances that need to be resisted.

Rev. Pittman describes her artwork as follows:

In this image, I chose to represent Christ using a rose at the centre of the composition. The women mentioned in the genealogy are imaged as foundational leaves building and upholding Christ. All of the women are looking at the viewer and holding objects to represent the fact that they took their life and survival into their own hands. They were catalysts who propelled the lineage forward.

In the bottom left, Tamar holds her father-in-law’s insignia, which represents how she assumes his role as the leader of the tribe of Judah and continues its lineage.[1]

Moving counter clockwise, Rahab holds the red cord which she lowered to ensure the safety of her family after supplying Israelite spies enough information to achieve victory in Jericho.

Next, Ruth holds the wheat that she gleaned from the field. She knows that she must marry again in order to be protected, and so she takes initiative with Boaz.

Bathsheba’s name isn’t even mentioned in Christ’s genealogy; she is referred to as the “wife of Uriah.” She withstands abuse from King David, survives the murder of her husband, and ensures that her son Solomon takes the throne. She takes matters into her own hands, becoming, as scholar Dr. Wil Gafney writes, “the queen mother of the united monarchy of Israel.”[2]

Finally, there is Mary who looks adoringly at the rose which represents her son. Here she holds the love and pride of a beautiful lineage that leads to the birth of her son, the Messiah.

These women only wanted to ensure safety for themselves and for their children; in the process they ensured the continuation of the lineage of Christ. Without their brilliance, passion, ingenuity, resourcefulness, creativity, and sacrifice, the lineage would have ended.

Pray

Breathe deeply as you gaze upon Rev. Pittman’s artwork. Imagine placing yourself in this scene. What do you see? How do you feel?

Get quiet and still, offering a silent or spoken prayer to God.

For reflection (perhaps as a journal prompt)

In Matthew’s genealogy (Matt. 1:1-17), each name contains a story threading together a lineage that leads to Christ. Reflect on the story of someone who came before you – a relative or friend – who changed your life.

Blessings for the term ahead

Rev. Katherine

[1] Attridge, Harold W. From the footnote for Genesis 38:15-19. The HarperCollins Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (San Francisco, CA: Zondervan, 2006). 62-3.

[2] Gafney, Wilda C. Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2017). 220.