What's the Verdict?

Gospel: John 5: 17-30

As today's Gospel portion attests, Jesus does in fact speak of the judgment of God.  This is in keeping with the long tradition of Israel that God is our judge to whom we must give an account each day of our lives.  The judgment of God falls upon individuals as well as to nations and communities of people in as much as groups act as moral agents in the world.  For judgement is placed upon us for the actions we perform or do not perform, not for belonging to a particular group or club.

What is more, the judgment of God is consistently related to how one treats the poor and marginalized, whether one lives an authentic religious life or as a hypocrite who only serves oneself and not the needs of others.  The judgment of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25, the judgment of rich young man who neglected Lazarus, and the judgment of the prophets against the injustices of Israel make this fact abundantly clear.

Belonging to groups is important for us in supporting one another in our quest to live as Jesus lived and taught.  Groups provide opportunity for performing the works of mercy together and thereby having a greater impact.  When groups become abusive, when they no longer are about mercy, we must continue to be people of mercy wherever we go, finding support in people wherever they are who seek to be people of mercy, people of healing, liberation, and nourishment for others.