The Great Divide

Gospel: Luke 16: 19-31

For those who love to speak of God's judgment on people, there is a great distance between the things they want judged and the things Jesus mentions for judgment.  The modern Christian is fixated on issues of sexuality, condemning those who are poor, immigrants, migrants, and refugees.  They condemn communists, freemasons, Muslims, people of color, liberals, and anyone not belonging to their particular denomination and liturgy of preference.

Meanwhile, today's Gospel of Lazarus and the rich man reinforces the picture of judgment Jesus provided in Matthew 25 wherein the criteria of judgment was in whether we provide food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, housing to the homeless, care for the prisoner and sick, and welcome to the immigrant, migrant, and refugee.  The rich man does none of these things, for which he finds himself in a place of eternal torment.  He is forever without a name.

Christianity is not about creating poor people and refugees through constant war on other people as the modern Christian thinks.  The way of Jesus is about care for the poor and marginalized, the sick and imprisoned, the immigrant, migrant, and refugee.  The way of Jesus is going about from place to place doing good - healing those who are sick, liberating those who are possessed, and nourishing those who are hungry.  It is there where our judgment lies.   

The Great Disconnect

Gospel: Matthew 20: 17-28

The disconnect between disciples and Jesus takes place in two acts.  In the first, Jesus tells his disciples that they are going to Jerusalem where he will be arrested, tortured, and executed by the political and religious leaders of the day.  The disciples, oblivious to what Jesus is saying, argue among themselves over who is the most important among them, who will reign in Jesus' kingdom on his right and left when that day comes.  

Come we now to act two.  Jesus tells us that he is not about kingdoms, that to be great is to serve others which was his mission.  For the past two thousand years we who claim discipleship have spent our time attempting to build kingdoms, waging wars against others, executing people, creating untold poverty and masses of refugees whom we then will deny help - all "in Jesus' name."  Herein lies the greatest blasphemy and the taking of God's name in vain.  

Jesus is not about kingdom building or lording over others.  He came to serve, going about healing, liberating, and nourishing people in deeds of love and mercy.  He encouraged us to take up a towel and basin to wash the feet of others, and bade us to put away the sword.  The kingdom of God is a kingdom of love and mercy in service to others.  It is not one of wars, executions, and exploitation.  The Way of Jesus is the road to the cross, not to the mansion.   

False Fronts

Gospel:  Matthew 23: 1-12

Come we now to the next two events in the false religion Olympics.  The first match is the jockeying for power and influence, currying favor with the rich and powerful of the world.  Note the zeal and ardor in which religious leaders seek influence and even seats of power in the world of government and finance.  Pay heed to the titles they insist on people using to abuse religious authority in coercing others to pinch incense to the emperor.  

The next event is in the fashion category - the wearing of religious finery for all to see and in yet another attempt to demonstrate religious authority and endorsement of the worldly powers they seek to woo.  Note the robes, sashes, hats, and various colors, parading before television cameras in a desperate attempt to be seen by others on the local and national news.  And if you missed it, fear not, for they will post it on social media, blogs, and the outlets of religious media empires.  

In these Olympian contests it is vain to reference today's Gospel portion.  The religious apologists have already an answer to justify the displays and jockeying.  But if we seek to follow the Lord Jesus who wore no such fineries, rejected all titles, and sought no favor with the rich and powerful, then our path is that of the desert.  It is the path of divestment, humility, and the firm determination to serve others by bringing healing, liberation, and nourishment to others in deeds of love and mercy.