JR. Forasteros - August 17, 2014
Haggai
When we experience crushing tragedy, recovering seems impossible. Often, we build walls inside ourselves, keeping our hearts and souls safe - or so we think. Haggai shows us that in the wake of the Exile, God's people were doing the same. They were neglecting their relationship with God because it was too painful. But Haggai's challenge to them is the same as to us: if we stay behind our walls, we'll slowly die. We must embrace God once again, and when we do, we'll find not a God who is cold, uncaring and distant, but a God who suffers with us, who is working even now to redeem the world.
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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.
