The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners?’ Jesus answered, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.’
-Luke 5:30-32
The lectionary readings for today are greatly concerned with purity. From the Psalmist and the prophet Hosea, from the apostles as recounted in Acts, come exhortations to live a righteous and lawful, even “blameless” life, to resist the “whoredom” of idolatry, to avoid upsetting those who are “zealous” for the law. What a surprise, then to come across this gospel where Jesus turns all of that on its head. Jesus essentially reminds us that there is a time for everything, and also a place for everyone. Everyone. His love is all-encompassing and unencumbered by judgments over righteousness. He is not concerned by whether one is the most blameless, or the most blame-ful of all. He has come to heal.
This focus on the greater love of Jesus, over and above the minutiae of ritual and purification, seems strangely fitting for the turbulence of our current moment. How distracted we allow ourselves to be by argumentation over who is more right, more correct, more pure! Or worse, how easily we are absorbed by finger-pointing over inconsequential matters. And yet, in the face of escalating war in Lebanon, of ongoing tragic and seemingly endless suffering in Gaza and Darfur, of thousands of people still trapped without food or water or connectivity in Western North Carolina, we who strive to be holy should let go of all that pettiness. Instead, let us show love and acceptance and welcome to one another, free of judgment. Let our righteousness how in how we share God’s love with all those whom we encounter.
A quick note about the song below: I first heard this song in April 2004, in the city of Lagos, Nigeria. I had just returned from a workshop out of the country, in at-the-time-peaceful Kenya, and it had been a jarring re-entry to make my way through the chaos of this sprawling city, inching towards a meeting on Very Serious Matters related to violence and justice and resources and graft. I was a ball of nerves, and a bit short-tempered, when my brain started tuning in to the song coming across the radio waves. Its message shifted my vision until I was able to gaze with tenderness on the street vendors surrounding us, the fishermen maneuvering their makeshift sails across the lagoon, and even the raucous motorcyclists zipping by. It changed how I interacted with others that day, and I hope opened a little crack for God’s love to come through. I pray this humble pop song may do the same for you!
Musical Reflection- Where is the Love? - Black Eyed Peas
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; united us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Login To Leave Comment