Gospel: John 6: 35-40
"I will not reject anyone who comes to me." Jesus makes this announcement to the crowd, a promise he keeps throughout his ministry. In all the Gospels we can find no instance where Jesus rejected anyone who came to him for help. He healed all who came for a cure, even when his own disciples would try to prevent him. He liberated all held bound by their demons in spite of those who would oppose him. And he fed the multitude, not refusing anyone. He ate at table with sinners and those who thought they were not.
So, in the midst of the great bread of life discourse, Jesus states that he will refuse no one who comes to him. How different from our own actions! We have created worthiness meters to keep out countless people, ever tightening the restrictions and making access to Jesus limited to a select few. Yet, Jesus never rejected his own disciples who continually disappointed him, betrayed him denied him, and abandoned him.
The world grows ever colder and hungry, and yet let people freeze and starve. What is our response to this situation? Will we welcome all to the table, expand the field of those who can be ordained in order to feed people? Or will our arbitrary rules take precedents over the hunger of people in dire need of the sacraments? Will we be like the Good Samaritan, or the priest and Levite?
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