They rose up,
drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But he passed through the midst of them and went away.
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But he passed through the midst of them and went away.
Jesus’ warning, though well-intended, was not well received.
He urged his people not to take their blessings for granted. You would think
they might appreciate the warning. They should consider the dangers of
presumption and entitlement and acknowledge their debt of gratitude to their
gracious God. They should remember their many sins – the innumerable missed opportunities
for generosity; the many times they took advantage of the weakness and
foolishness of others; and the moments when they fulfilled their duties haphazardly,
without full attention – and thank God he had sent them such a Savior.
But the Galileans were in no mood for Jesus’ reminder. It’s
not hard to imagine why. Their country was occupied by a Roman army that supported
the wealthy, influential and powerful and ignored the needs of the people. The alien
soldiers despised the Jews and were known to ransack their homes and villages,
killing men, women, children and livestock. The natives wanted a redeemer who
would improve their lot, not someone who would tell them, “Be grateful for what
you’ve got.”
Feeling victimized and abandoned, they wanted no reminders
of their traditional hospitality to the victim and the stranger. “Charity
begins at home!” they might have said to Jesus. “We’ll take care of our needs
first, and then we’ll spare some change for others.”
Since prehistoric times the instinct for survival has
propelled human beings to migrate. Sometimes they do it with an army to lead
them, as the Mongols conquered Asia; more often they arrive defenseless and
empty handed. Often they are not welcomed by the country’s occupants.
The Eye of Providence |
More importantly, Jesus knew that God provides for his people and for those who welcome his people. What you do for the least of my disciples you do for me. We would do well to contemplate that mysterious sign on our dollar bill, that reminds us of our Providential Father.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.