JR. Forasteros - July 6, 2014
Obadiah
In the face of tragedy, will we be agents for healing, or will we stand by and do nothing? The answer isn't found in the moment of the tragedy, but in the choices we make leading up to it. God spoke to Obadiah in the wake of the most devastating tragedy in Israel's history - the Babylonian conquest of Judah. Obadiah addressed not God's people, but their neighbors, the Edomites, who refused to aid Judah, and even aided the Babylonians in sacking Jerusalem. In God's warning to them, we hear a similar warning to enact justice now, in the small, every day choices we make.
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You might have heard that the actor James Caan died this last week. He was famous for a lot of roles – like the dad in Elf!, but maybe his most famous was his role as Sonny in Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece The Godfather. That movie turns 50 this year!
I know we’re talking about Encanto this summer, but bear with me. The Godfather opens at the wedding of Sonny’s sister. Their father is the titular Godfather, Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando. The movie spends quite a lot of time moving through the elaborate, lavish wedding ceremony but the Godfather is nowhere to be found.
Why? Because he’s in his office, receiving petitioners.
It’s (apparently) Sicilian tradition that, on his daughter’s wedding day, the Godfather grants favors to those who ask. He gifts gifts, of a sort, on the day of his daughter’s wedding.
Of course, the Godfather’s gifts aren’t really gifts. The people asking for his help understand that his gifts come with strings attached. His ‘gifts’ are what make him the Godfather.
I can’t prove it, but I wonder if Vito Corleone was an Enneagram Two.
Twos are known as Helpers – they’ll do anything for anyone. But unless 2s are really healthy, their help comes with strings attached. Helping others is how they feel valuable, how they feel loved.
And I started with an unhealthy, manipulative two because la familia Madrigal’s 2 is Mirabel’s mom, Julieta. And she’s really healthy, which means she’s a great role model but doesn’t show us what a growing 2 looks like as well.
So today, we’re going to investigate the path from Vito Corleone to Julieta. From Godfather to Arepa Mama.
Because Twos, when you’re healthy, you’re a picture of God’s generosity and hospitality.
