The Pursuit Of the Good

Gospel: Luke 6: 27-38

Modern Christianity has had a false belief for a long time that religion is about the pursuit of our own happiness and self-interest.  We are told to pursue the acquisition of graces and merit so that we might save our souls and achieve eternal happiness.  It is an entirely egoistic enterprise where we engage in our own enterprises.  Such a religion is attractive to a populace convinced since the Enlightenment that our own self-interest is all there is to consider.  The problem is that it does not conform to the Gospel message.

In today's Gospel portion Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, to forgive others, and to give generously to those in need.  There is no mention of rewards or merits or the like.  We are to do so for their own sakes, because it is the nature of the good to do so.  To love one's enemies is a direct affront to our notions of self-interest and ego.  The religion of Jesus is not about the pursuit of happiness.  It is the pursuit of the good for its own sake and for the sake of others.  

We can invent a whole host of theologies and practices and call them Christian, even though they are not.  We have been doing so for a long time.  These self-inventions make us feel good and conform to our false beliefs about self-interest and egoism.  Or we can follow the teaching and practice of Jesus in cultivating a life lived for the good, a life lived for others and their good.  In all things the way of Jesus is our model to follow in authentic Christian living. 

Woe to the Rich

Gospel: Luke 6: 20-26

Modern Christianity cannot abide the words of woe Jesus addresses to the rich throughout the Gospels.  Modern Christianity depends for its existence on catering to the rich and powerful.  They are necessary for the ongoing maintenance of the vast array of buildings, even more so to maintain the clergy in the life of comfort to which they have become accustomed.  The collar and cowl, once worn to be in solidarity with the slave and the poor, are now symbols of power and privilege.  

So what is done with these words of Jesus warning the rich of the peril of their souls for the neglect and exploitation of the poor?  The first strategy is to ignore the words and pretend they do not exist.  Plan B is to denounce anyone who references them as communists and socialists in a never ending attempt to intimidate and drive off this threat to their power and wealth.  The poor are then condemned as lazy and most unworthy of help.  

Today is the feast of Peter Claver, a man who dedicated his life to care of the poor and exploited.  He provided material and spiritual care for African slaves brought to the new world.  He condemned slavery and pled with masters to care for and release those in bondage.  Peter Claver followed the example of Jesus in today's Gospel portion.  Let us imitate the example of this saint, who followed the Lord Jesus in his care for the poor and marginalized in our world, rejecting wealth and privilege. 

Family Trees

Gospel:  Matthew 1: 1-16, 18-23

In today's Gospel portion we are presented with the family tree of Jesus.  The creator of said ancestry chart goes to great lengths to show that Jesus is both a descendant of Abraham and a descendant of David.  In order to do so, the construction departs from the traditional method of tracing these origins through male ancestors by adding two women to the family tree in order to make it work.  Some generations are skipped entirely in order to maintain the neat 14 generations between significant figures and events.

It all seems like a lot of work to get to Joseph, who is not even Jesus' biological father.  So, why all the fuss?  Jesus is adopted by Joseph, and according to the ancient laws of ancestry the adopted child inherits the lineage of the father.  They now belong to that household and ancestry regardless of actual biological origins.  What is more, that heritage and inheritance can never be taken away.  An adopted child could not be disowned in ancient societies.  

We are all adopted children of God in the same way that Jesus was adopted by Joseph.  Regardless of our bloodlines and family trees, we have all been adopted into the family of God.  We cannot be disowned.  We are part of this great heritage and so heirs of God's kingdom.  We need not have any fear.  We need not spend time creating lineage charts and the like.  Our relationship with God is secure.  The family of God is a safe house for all who accept their adoption.