Family has been central to human existence since prehistoric times, forming the core of survival and community. From the earliest human tribes, families offered protection, sustenance, and identity, characteristics that carried through to the bedouin clans of Abraham’s era, just over 5000 years ago. For these nomadic people, family was both literal and symbolic. It grounded them in a shared history and guided them across literal and figurative deserts through generations. Long after Abraham, Jacob’s story deepens this sense of family as foundational to our relationship with God. His sons became the twelve tribes of Israel. Israel itself came to be understood as one great, extended family—God’s chosen people bound together by covenant and lineage. As history unfolded, this understanding of family expanded.
With the advent of Jesus among us, the church emerged as the new family of God. No longer limited by bloodlines or tribal ties, the family of God grew to include all who believe in Christ. It’s through baptism and God’s promise that we are called children of God, that we are welcomed into a family that transcends time and space. This understanding puts things into perspective for us: when we call ourselves God’s children, we claim our place in a family born not of human flesh and blood, but by God’s love for us in Christ Jesus. With that established, let’s go forward.
Let us pray. May only God’s Word be heard and may only God’s Word be heard; in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Each of us has a special place in our family, and that place can shape who we are and how we act. You might be the firstborn, and maybe you’ve had to take on a lot of responsibility, helping to lead and care for others. Or maybe you’re a middle child, and you’ve learned how to be adaptable and work hard to stand out. Some of you might be the youngest, bringing a little charm and lightness to the family, while others might be only children, growing up with a lot of attention, becoming quite self-reliant.
The global church—the church catholic, you might say—with its diverse denominations and traditions, mirrors the dynamics of a family where various roles and contributions shape the broader mission. Established denominations may act as the responsible firstborns, while newer movements challenge norms like younger siblings. Within a parish, such as Emanuel, where we affectionately refer to ourselves as a family—within a parish these family dynamics become more immediate and personal. Long-standing members often occupy positions of leadership and communal trust. These members remind us of our tradition and history, while newer members bring enthusiasm and fresh ideas. This creates a dynamic and evolving parish life. Both are critical members…
Just as in a biological family, these dynamics can also lead to challenges. Sibling rivalry in a family can translate into disagreements and conflicts within a church, whether about traditions, leadership styles, or differing visions for the parish. Older members might resist change, while newer members may feel overlooked or undervalued. Balancing these varying contributions and perspectives requires thoughtful interaction and mutual respect, ensuring that all voices are at least heard and that the church, as a family, is functional, not dysfunctional. We all have experienced some degree of family dysfunction in some way, shape, or form in our families, and so we can understand just why that’s detrimental not only to the relationships we have here in our church family, but to the wider mission of the gospel—namely, sharing God’s creative and redeeming love in Jesus Christ with a world that’s desperately in need of it.
Jesus helps us see how we fit into God’s family, too. He’s like our big brother, showing us the way. In today’s gospel, we see him welcoming children with open arms, teaching us to approach God with childlike trust and wonder. Jesus doesn’t ask us to come to God with fancy words or complicated ideas. He wants us to come just as we are, with open hearts, ready to trust in God’s love, just like children do with their parents.
When we come to God in prayer, or when we worship, we’re invited to follow that example. We can set aside all the things that weigh us down, and just come to God like children, saying “thank you” and “please,” knowing that God hears us. And when we go out into the world, we can share that love with others, just like children who make new friends without a second thought. We can serve with love and kindness, eager to learn more and to grow in our understanding, much like children heading off to school, excited to learn something new.
And when it comes to giving, it’s just like when a child joyfully shares what they’ve been given. We give from the heart, not because we have to, but because we want to—because we’ve received so much love and grace from God. Jesus, our big brother, shows us how to give freely, with a heart full of gratitude and joy.
At Jesus’ baptism, God spoke beautiful words: “This is my Son, the beloved; with him I am well pleased.” And here’s the wonderful thing: those words are meant for us, too. When we are baptized, God looks at each of us and says, “You are my child, the beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Just imagine that! God is so happy with us, just as we are, and loves us deeply, no matter what.
And when we gather for communion, it’s like sitting down at a big family meal. God, our loving parent, pours out grace, mercy, and love. Jesus is right there with us, along with all our brothers and sisters in the church, both near and far, past and present. We come together, warts and all, to share in this meal, which reminds us that we are all part of God’s family. It’s a meal that brings us together and helps us to remember the love and grace that we’re called to share with the world.
Both family and church life involve navigating tensions, requiring balance and mutual respect to maintain harmony. The gospel, particularly through Jesus, teaches us to approach God with simplicity and trust, like children, and to give generously out of love. Communion is a unifying, mystical experience and brings us together as a family where grace, mercy, and love are shared. Our roles define our relationships. Just as roles in a family influence how people behave, the roles in a church family shape its dynamics. Tension is natural but manageable. Conflict arises naturally in any group or family, but thoughtful interaction and mutual respect can mitigate division. Childlike faith is foundational. Approaching God with simple, sincere trust is central to Christian discipleship. Giving stems from gratitude. Generosity is the Christian response to the abundant love and grace we’ve already received. Unity is reinforced through shared rituals. Communion reminds us that, despite our differences, we are one family in God’s love.
Just as in our own families, where the roles we take on shape who we become, our place in God’s family shapes how we live out our faith. And there’s something powerful in that. Jesus, our big brother, shows us the way—not with the complexity of the world’s wisdom, but with the simple trust and openness of a child. And most of all remember this: just as God said to Jesus, “You are my beloved child,” God says that to each and every one of us. That’s right—God calls you his beloved, just as he did with Jesus. When we embrace that kind of childlike faith—when we worship with full hearts, when we bow our heads in prayer, when we study, give, and serve with the kind of love and trust that only a child can possess—we reflect God’s kingdom here and now, in our own lives, our own corner of the world. In those moments, something incredible happens: we take part in something larger than ourselves. It’s in those simple, humble acts, childlike acts that we feel the love and grace of God flowing through us. And that’s what it means to be part of God’s family. That’s what it means to be a child of God—to enter the kingdom of God.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Rev'd Daniel W. Spigelmyer, Jr. 