The Learned and Clever

Gospel: Matthew 11: 25-27

Note carefully the encounters we have with the learned scholars in the Gospels.  More often than not, we find them in the employ of the ruling powers who seek the ruin of Jesus and others for their own power.  Scholars of the law advised Herod on the coming Messiah, taking part in his deeds of violence.  In their interactions with Jesus, the scholars of the law are either in the employ of the Sadducees and Herodians, or among those seeking to justify themselves.  

To be learned in itself is not bad, but how often is it used for nefarious purposes in support of the rich and powerful to the expense of the poor and marginalized.  For this reason Jesus continually encourages us to a life of the simplicity of a child.  A child has no power and continually open to learning and experiencing new things.  Children have an inner world of imagination and possibility adults have lost long ago.  The child is not a cynic or skeptic.  

In seeking to be like children we remember that learning is for the sake of seeking wisdom and not power.  Learning is a cultivation of the imagination, the openness to new experiences and possibility.  Learning is for the service and care of others, not for being apologists and tools for the powers of this world.  Today is a day for us to commit to this learning for wisdom, to remaining ever open to the voice of God within, and using our learning to serve and care for others. 

Human Depravity

Gospel: Matthew 11: 20-24

In the Old Testament the characterization of God and mercy was that a person had to perform a certain action before receiving mercy, e.g. sacrifice a bull or such.  Or, mercy would be extended only after a harsh punishment was placed upon the people such as a plague or exile.  People would alter behavior, but only to avoid pain.  Little evidence exists that the change was deep-seeded.  It was certainly not long lasting as this cycle repeated itself over and over again.

Jesus takes a different approach.  He extends mercy in the hopes that people will respond deeply to his offer of love.  In today's Gospel portion he laments the fact that such has not been the case.  People are healed, demons are removed, people are fed and nourished.  Yet, little change of behavior can be observed.  This reality says far more about our human depravity than it does about the approaches to such depravity noted above.  No matter what the approach, we humans continue on our wayward way.

We human beings might speak of progress in our race with little actual evidence to suggest such is actually the case.  The body counts, the corruption, the hypocrisy all point to a different conclusion.  We may have progressed in our technology and the like, but our moral progress as a species has not moved positively in a forward direction.  We might well wonder what difference Jesus has made.  Only those who have responded to his love and mercy can say for sure.  It is the only solution to our human depravity.

Peacemakers Amid War

Gospel: Matthew 10: 34-11: 1

It is ironic that the message the disciples are to bring to towns and villages - "Peace be with you" - will be greeted by war and division.  The ministry of Jesus and that of the disciples is to proclaim peace, to bring the reconciliation of God to all peoples and all relationships. Yet, wherever this message goes it is greeted by opposition and rejection.  Sometimes this opposition causes the disciple to doubt and become discouraged at times in the midst of the work.

Yet, we recall that we began this journey with the Beatitudes, that we are called to be peacemakers, called to be merciful, meek, pure of heart, hungering for justice, empathetic, and patient in suffering and persecution.  The task of the disciple is not to engage in war and conflict at all.  It is to be about the deeds of mercy, the posture of meekness and empathy as we proclaim peace and work for justice in a world lacking ever so much in both.

We also recall the human propensity to prefer darkness to light, that the crowd voted for Barabbas and the path of revolution and violence over the person of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  If such choices were made in those days it can be of no surprise that those same choices are made in our own day.  The task remains unchanged for us: we are to be about the Beatitudes, to proclaim peace and extend mercy as we make our way through the pilgrimage of our lives on earth.